Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Aug 6: The annual 2-days Ladakhi Kisan-Jawan-Vigyan Mela began today at Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), here.
On the occasion, the chief guest was Lieutenant General SK Patyal, GOC, HQ 14 Corps, who inaugurated the 23rd Ladakhi Kisan-Jawan-Vigyan Mela in presence of Major General AS Chaudhary, COS, HQ 14 Corps and Air CMDE B Mahikantam, AOC, 21 Wing, Air Force Station. P Namgyal, former MP Ladakh, President Farmers Cooperative Association Angchuk Kalon, President LEHO Dr Din Mohammad, Chief Horticulture Officer T Sewang Phuntsog and many others were also present.
Director DIHAR Dr Bhuvnesh Kumra presented the welcome address and said that the main purpose of this annual Mela is to provide a platform to the farmers, army units and local community to know about the research and works of DIHAR so that they would also replicate proven technologies and ideas of DIHAR.
Talking about the achievements of DIHAR, Dr Bhuvnesh said that their institute has cultivated 101 varieties of vegetables in one field which is a world record in itself and out of which 28 variety of vegetables are being successfully grown by local farmers.
He further added that out of the targeted 100 Trench Farming unites assigned by Lieutenant General, SK Patyal last year in the 22nd Kisan Mela, a total of 40 Trench Farming units were completed by DIHAR and rest 60 will be accomplished in coming months.
Elaborating about the high value of Seabuckthorn plant of Ladakh, he requested General Patyal to include herbal products of Seabuckthorn in special ration of Army.
Expressing his satisfaction over functioning of DIHAR doing great job in the Agriculture sector, Lieutenant General SK Patyal said that Army had increased their vegetable intake demands by 25 per cent and Ladakhi framers managed to supply 45 per cent of their requirement.
Lieutenant General, Patyal informed that considering the organic value of Ladakhi products Army has even reduced the standard of vegetables and assured to consume all the produced in future.
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