As the winter sets in the rugged mountains of the Himalayas coupled with escalating ties with China, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on methods to cultivate vegetables in such weather conditions for the forces stationed at the heights.
The DRDO is working on technologies like passive greenhouse technology, zero energy-based technique storage, and microgreens. The research is being done by DRDO’s Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR).
Speaking to ANI, DIHAR’s Director, Dr Om Prakash Chaurasia said “With DRDO technology and hill council, all vegetables can be grown in summer but now our focus is on winters that how to augment the availability of fresh items in winters. There are two approaches, one is to standardise the greenhouse technology. This (Leh) place has high intercity of solar even during peak winter period so we are working on a passive greenhouse. We will be able to grow cabbage, cauliflower, and even tomato even in the month of January where the temperature drops till -25 degrees. We have an underground greenhouse as well. Another approach is to develop the storage of vegetables grown in summers. It is zero energy-based storage technology. Potato, cabbage, cauliflower, Raddish, carrot can be stored for 4-5 months,”.
DIHAR is working on cultivating superfoods like Quinoa, chia seed, seabuckthorn, and Goji Berries which are exclusively grown in Leh.
“Oxygen level is low and under stress condition in this area. So, we require foods which are enriched with nutrition. We are cultivating a superfood which is a food which you consume less and it is more effective. We are cultivating foods like Quinoa, chia seed, seabuckthorn, and Goji Berries,” he added.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to our troops in August last year, he made a mention of a special plant named ‘solo’ which is also known as the Sanjeevani herb that is found in Ladakh.
Describing the utilities of solo herb which is known as Sanjeevani, Dr Chaurasia said, “Himalaya is a treasure of herbs. Sanjeevani is one of the herbs found in the Himalayas. Its scientific name is Rhodiola. It cures fatigue, mountain sickness, and works on memory boosting. The roots of Sanjeevani have the fragrance of a rose. DRDO is working with UT administration for mass cultivation of it.”
DIHAR is already working on microgreen plants which soldiers can grow in harsh conditions and can be grown in 10-15 days. The Indian Army is deployed in some of the harshest enviornemts in the world and through technology, microgreen plants will be available to our to jawans.