Agri experts to try organic farming in Leh-Ladakh region

Encouraged by the results of Homoeo farming in Kashmir valley, agriculture experts in Leh-Ladakh region have decided to assess the utility of the system on horticulture in the area.
"We have decided to experiment the impact of Homoeo farming or organic farming by comparing it with traditional farming in the area as it ensures safe environment, requires less inputs, ensures maximum yield and more financial gain," said Anup Raj, Associate Director of Research University of Agricultural Science and Technology in Leh.
"Impressed by the deliberations in national seminar on precision farming technologies on high Himalayas, our Vice-Chancellor (of SKUAST Kashmir, Tej Pratap) has directed us to try Homoeo farming technology in Leh-Ladakh area," Raj added.

At present, there is more land to cultivate in Leh-Ladakh as people are gradually moving towards other professions.
"We can encourage people to switch over to horticulture if it gives better result i.E. Higher yield with less inputs", he said, adding that the problem of water scarcity in the area would not come in the way of homoeo farming as it requires less irrigation.
Swami Parmanand, Founder Director of VIMASES and the brain behind this farming, presented a paper at the seminar narrating in detail the utility of Homoeo farming in the climatic condition of Leh-Ladakh.
"The vegetables produced with Homoeo farming would give more foreign exchange as not only the produce would be eco-friendly but it paves way for eco-friendly environment also," Parmanand said.

Since the VC of SKUAST-K has seen positive results of the farming in Kashmir where apple farming, which was earlier hit by scab disease, he himself advocated to experiment the same technique in Leh-Ladakh also, he added.