''I am growing tomatoes, radish and onions but I am no longer using the ordinary ways of agricultural production. As October approaches, we will not be able to grow any vegetables and fruits outside. This greenhouse will be our asset,'' said Tsering, a progressive farmer who is taking care of one of the first greenhouses set up by the administration of Union territory of Ladakh to help the locals become self sufficient in crop produce.
The greenhouse was set up during the winter post bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 when the new Union territory was formed.
''We started constructing this greenhouse in December when the temperatures dipped below zero degree. We completed it within two months and developed a model farm here where farmers like Tsering can grow vegetables and earn money,'' said Tashi Tsetan, chief agricultural officer in Leh.
Flushed with funds, the UT administration is now trying to innovate and fast-track measures for producing crops. And, on shoulders of farmers like Tsering rests the arduous task of growing vegetables that can help people tide over the harsh winter season.
''The prices of tomatoes goes up to Rs 200 per kg in winters from Rs 40 in summer months. If we have enough local produce, the population will benefit immensely,'' he said.
Lieutenant Governor R.K. Mathur has sanctioned the Ladakh greenhouse project under which 2000-2500 greenhouses will be set up in Leh and Kargil each, where vegetables can be grown during the winter season.
These greenhouses will be set up in each village and the dependency which we used to have on Jammu, Chandigarh and Delhi for airlifting food to Ladakh will be substantially reduced,''
said Tsetan.
Due to lack of enough cold storage facilities and godowns, and with no systems in place to grow crops during winters, Ladakh airlifts food material every winters.
The lockdown post bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir had made matters worse for the UT and the crisis set in when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. However, last winter became a little special for the locals. It was a mixed bag as the double lockdown also saw an enthusiastic administration trying to win people’s confidence and support.
Ladakh was also one of the first regions in the country to be hit by the pandemic. The first few cases surfaced here when the pilgrims from Iran returned, said a senior UT official. An additional 22,000 people came to Ladakh during the pandemic.
Despite the pandemic woes, people in Ladakh had an egg feast after many years, said the official.
There was cheer and joy among people when the first set of eggs, airlifted from Delhi, Chandigarh and other states, landed here. Nine lakh eggs along with 414 metric tonnes of food material like butter, salt, milk packets and tomato puree were brought to Ladakh by the Indian Air Force which conducted at least 24 sorties during the winter months.
Kauzang, who works in the horticulture department in Leh, said people have been used to managing with little and they did not expect too many changes when the district transformed
into a full-fledged Union territory.
''People did not think they can grow and eat fruits and vegetables throughout the year. But now they are excited and the villagers are trying out new methods,'' she said. The administration is also building facilities like Food Corporation Of India godowns and huge cold storage facilities to store the fruits and vegetables.
Change is undoubtedly the way of life and in Ladakh, the people are slowly getting used to the idea of being part of a Union territory. And for this aspiring population, the UT administration has to be on its toes.