Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Aug 8: GOC 14 Corps Maj General SK Patyal inaugurated the 22nd Annual Ladakhi Kissan Jawan Vigyan Mela here today.
The two-day event organized by Defense Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) is aimed at encouraging the farming community by creating awareness and interest amongst them regarding the latest Agro-animal technology for cold arid high altitude region of Ladakh.
The event provides an opportunity to all stakeholders including DIHAR, Army, farmers, LAHDC and NGOs to converge on the single platform for interaction to enhance the crops yield by sharing their experience and expertise.
Speaking on the occasion, GOC 14 Corps said that small research centre started in 1962 in the shape of DIHAR has not become prominent research centre in Ladakh. “DIHAR is fulfilling Army’s requirement of 5000 tonnes of vegetable every year which is huge achievement”, he added.
He said that different army units in Ladakh region have managed to establish 166 green houses including six at Siachen Base camp. “Eight Mountain Division has already planted 6000 saplings of apricot and apple and 3 Mountain Division and 254 Brigade near Nanak Hill will also carry out such mass plantation drive in future”, he added.
Urging the DIHAR scientists to grow maximum vegetable in winter to fulfill the Army demand, he appreciated the DIHAR discovery of seabuck thorn juice having enriched victims that helps in controlling the blood pressure.
Vandana Kumar, Additional FA (R&D), IDAS,DRDO HQ Delhi appreciated the DIHAR scientists, staff and other stakeholders for managing to grow variety of vegetable and fruits in such high altitude arid zone. She informed that Army annual requirement is 13000 tonnes which can be fulfilled from Ladakh itself in near future.
Earlier, DIHAR Director Dr Bhuvnesh Kumar highlighted various activities of DIHAR to encourage the farming community in Ladakh.
It is worthwhile to mention here that DIHAR holds three Limca Book of World Record for growing 78 types of vegetables on a same field in single season, secondly for growing extra large vegetable and thirdly for highest agriculture institute in the world working on Agro-animal technology.
Follow our WhatsApp channel