Energy Budget of Crops and Weed Management to Enhance Crop Productivity in Cold Arid Ladakh Region

Small scale agriculture is still the predominant characteristic of the Ladakh. It still has a great role in the economy. The region produces barley, wheat, vegetables and also involved in rearing livestock. The farming systems are unique and adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of Ladakh. Currently, the largest commercial agricultural produce is vegetable, which is sold in large quantity to defence establishments and as well as in the local market. It was recorded that production remains mainly in the hands of small land owners. In all the surveyed villages, majority of area (75%) is under vegetable crops as compared to cereals such as wheat and barley (25%). Efforts/ energy (unit in each case= value X 105 k cal/ha/year) being put to grow vegetables are significantly higher than the total output and the situation is just reverse in case of cereals. Survey revealed the need of small scale interventions including scientific weed management. From total energy point of view, staple crop production was found to be energy efficient. Even though subsistence-oriented production remains the economic mainstay, livelihood strategies have diversified in the light of growing geostrategic relevance and significant socio-economic changes.