Traditional Ladakh Agriculture (Northern India)

The Ladakh region on the Tibetan plateau is a high altitude cold desert in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. It is inhabited mainly by Tibeto-Mongolian Buddhists who on a sedentary basis or with spring migration herd several animals. The yak, a native of the region, is adapted to graze on the scanty local feed of the high altitudes and tolerates temperatures of -40ºC to +30ºC. Under the harsh conditions agriculture is difficult. Nevertheless, by diverting glacial-fed rivers into stone-built terraces, where soil is formed, people have been able to cultivate plants. Sedimentation on the new soil is enhanced by planting Himalayan rose and willow. Later manure facilitates the planting of staples. The traditional Ladakh agriculture is unique and representative of the Tibetan plateau. Its conservation of old land races of cultivated plants, especially of alfalfa, is of global importance.