Mountain farming is a highly specialized area of research in most institutions around the world, including India. The development of sustainable agriculture in mountain zones is beset with formidable challenges such as soil erosion, loss of genetic biodiversity and landslides. However, with sustained effort, much headway can be made.
In India, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research has been according to priorities to mountain farming and has over a period of time evolved sustainable and multi-faceted models which have immensely helped the mountain farming community. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has carved out (Pun very much intended) nine regions as mountain zones. These regions are perfect for mountain farming in India.
We’ll see what they are in our blog here. In addition, our blog also covers everything that can grow in these mountains, and what they contribute to the country’s yield.
Western Himalayas
With unique geographical landscaping paired to optimal weather conditions, the Western Himalayan Region is ideal for mountain farming. The country’s Northern part houses the Western Himalayan Region. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Uttarakhand are the states that are in the Western Himalayan Region. Filled with valleys and plateaus, it provides a range of (Once again, pun intended) farming opportunities.
Farmers in the Western Himalayan Region employ various traditional and modern agricultural methods to maximize their yields. Terraced farming is common in the steep slopes, preventing soil erosion and optimizing limited arable land. The use of greenhouses and polytunnels extends the growing season and allows for cultivation of crops requiring controlled environments.
The region produces a wide variety of crops, thanks to its varying altitudes and microclimates. Staple food crops like wheat, barley, and rice are Popular in the valley regions. Horticulture a significant part of the high- altitude agricultural landscape. Not to anyone’s surprise, fruits such as apples, pears, cherries, and apricots thrive in the temperate climate. The Himalayas are known for its herbal medicine reserves. Himalayan rhubarb, cordyceps, and valerian also grow here, catering to the pharmaceutical and herbal industries.
For a successful farm business in the Western Himalayan Region, apple cultivation stands out as a highly lucrative option. The cool climate and suitable soil conditions favor apple orchards, resulting in high-quality produce. Orchards require careful management, pest control, and grafting techniques for healthy and productive trees.
Eastern Himalayas
The Eastern Himalayan Region is known for its farming potential. The region with the most potential is the central and eastern Himalayas where mixed crop farming is common.
Farmers of Indian Himalayan region grow many fruit crops, including pomes (apple and pear) and stone fruits (peach, plum, apricot and cherry) in considerable quantity; however apple has the preference over all other horticultural crops.
Shifting cultivation or slash and burn agriculture is the oldest crop cultivation system in North East India (NEI). on the other hand, modern technology has made things easier. For example, just mounting your Mahindra Jivo with implements will get best results out of your mountain farm.
The best crop for a successful farm business depends on various factors such as soil type, climate conditions and market demand. However, some of the most profitable crops in the Eastern Himalayan Region include rice, potato, maize, tea and fruits like orange, pineapple, lime, litchi etc.
Western Ghat Region
The Western Ghats region is known for its farming potential. The region with the most potential is the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats where pepper and cardamom are native crops that have been taken up as plantation crops on a large scale. Other large scale plantations include tea, coffee, oil palm and rubber.
More than twenty types of tubers are cultivated in Western Ghats region of Karnataka. The major tuber crops grown in Karnataka are potato, sweet potato cassava, taro, yam, elephant foot yam, arrow root and chinese potato etc.
In the coastal low lands of the Western Ghats, major crops include coconuts, paddy, arecanut,tapioca, cashew nut, ginger and turmeric and other cereals and pulses. In the uplands and hilly region, plantation crops like tea, coffee, rubber and spices like cardamom and pepper are grown.
The best crop for a successful farm business depends on various factors such as soil type, climate conditions and market demand. However, some of the most profitable crops in the Western Ghats region include coffee, tea and spices like pepper and cardamom.
Eastern Ghats
The Eastern Ghat Region is located in India and is known for its diverse agro-climatic zones. The state of Odisha has four zones—coastal plains, central tableland, northern plateau and eastern ghats—that are further subdivided into 10 agro-climatic zones. The state’s climate is tropical, characterized by high temperatures, high humidity, medium to high rainfall and short and mild winters. The state usually receives rainfall of around 1451.2 mm.
The predominant farming system in the state is the mixed crop livestock farming system and over 90% of all farms of all categories conform to this farming system. The livestock wealth in black and brown forest soils in the Eastern Ghat region is diverse and includes cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, pig and poultry.
The Eastern Ghat region of India was cultivated with different multitier agroforestry systems, in which plantation of drumstick with hedgerow and ginger along with intercropping saved 74 percent more soil organic carbon, 64 percent more phosphorus and 66 percent more potassium respectively than broadcasted finger millet cultivation.
Some of the most profitable crops grown in the Eastern Ghat Region include rice, maize, pulses like pigeon pea and black gram. Other pulses generally grow well here too.
Conclusion
Yes, mountain farming is not without its difficulties. But then again, becoming a successful mountain farmer depends on correct information, methods, and tools. For example, using a Mahindra YUVO will give you better traction in these regions, and help you traverse effectively. Furthermore, when selecting crops for your mountain farm, you should be looking at what kind of weather your area is experiencing, and the soil your land has. Mountain regions experience quite a bit of soil erosion, water scarcity and extreme weather, and these are some challenges that you should be gearing up for. These obstacles may be addressed with careful planning and management, and alpine farming can be a viable business.
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