Research for it is being carried out by DRDO’s Defense Institute for High Altitude Research (DIHAR).
Full coverage – LAC deadlock
While speaking to ANI, DIHAR Director Dr. Om Prakash Chaurasia said that the focus now is on increasing the availability of fresh vegetables in winters as well as summers.
“With DRDO technology and Hill’s advice, all vegetables can be grown in summer, but now our focus is on winters to know how to increase the availability of fresh produce in winters. There are two approaches, one is to standardize the greenhouse technology. This (Leh) place has high interurban solar energy even during peak winter period, so we are working in passive greenhouse. We will be able to grow cabbage, cauliflower and even tomato even in the month of January, where the temperature drops to -25 degrees. Have an underground greenhouse as well. Another approach is to develop the storage of vegetables grown in summer. It is a storage technology based on zero energy. Potato, cabbage, cauliflower, radish and carrot can be stored for 4-5 months, “said Chaurasia.
Chaurasia also highlighted that DIHAR is also growing superfoods such as Quinoa, Chia Seed, Sea Buckthorn and Goji Berries, which are grown exclusively in Leh.
“The oxygen level is low and under stress conditions in this area. Therefore, we need food enriched with nutrition. We are growing a superfood that is a food that consumes less and is more effective. We are growing foods such as quinoa, seed chia, sea buckthorn and goji berries, “he added.
In August last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned a special plant called ‘solo’ which is also known as the Sanjeevani herb found in Ladakh.
Describing the benefits of the individual herb known as Sanjeevani, Dr. Chaurasia said, “The Himalayas are a treasure trove of herbs. Sanjeevani is one of the herbs found in the Himalayas. Its scientific name is Rhodiola. Cures fatigue, mountain sickness and improves memory. The roots of Sanjeevani have the fragrance of a rose. DRDO is working with the UT administration for mass cultivation. ”
DIHAR has worked on the microgreen plant that will help jaws to grow plants in difficult conditions and can be grown in 10-15 days. The product can be used as a seasoning for farmers.
Speaking of micro-vegetables, Dr. Dorjee, a DIHAR scientist said: “In the remote area, the Army is deployed in difficult conditions and there is no availability of substrate or soil to grow vegetables. Through technology, we will be able to provide these micro-plants. green to the jaws. ”
“To grow these plants, we have to make sure that the ingredients are minimal, such as coco peat, and after 10-15 days these plants are ready for consumption. It can also be used for seasoning,” he added.
Dorjee further said that about 20 vegetables can be grown in this medium and it is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
.
