Thesis - Singbadh Tsogpsa : High Altitude Agro Research & Training Centre, Leh, Ladakh

Situated on an altitude of 3524m, Leh is connected to the rest of India by two high altitude roads both of which are subject to landslides and neither of which are passable in winter when covered by deep snows. The Himalaya blocks nearly all the rains from the south, creating a desert in the rain shadow, with most areas receiving no effective rain (100mm) every year. Ladakh has incredible restrictions of an eight month winter (thus a four month growing season), the food supply is very limited. Due to its detachment with other neighbouring cities as a result of road blockages, Ladakhis are forced to survive with the limited amount of farmland food stock that was grown in summer to be stored and utilized throughout the long winters. At this time of the year, food security becomes a primary concern due to general remoteness, topography, political marginalization, limited resource potential and thus reduced income opportunities.