The Department of Agriculture organised Krishi Mela/Ladakh Organic Fair on September 9 at Eco Park, Leh.

Inaugrating the event, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) termed the event as a big achievement. He stated that his biggest concern is the marketing of agricultural produce, vegetables, and flowers of the farmers/agripreneurs from Ladakh. He informed about the request made to the Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel to meet other concerned Departmental Secretaries/Head of Departments to formulate a strategy to sell the agricultural produce of the farmers to boost their livelihood opportunities through better income.  

L-G stated that the UT Administration is committed and determined to promote vegetables/flowers produced in Ladakh in other states of India and at the global level to ensure the overall development of Ladakh.

Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel informed about the plan to certify all 113 villages in Leh as organic under the Mission Organic Development Initiative (MODI) scheme by 2025. He also informed that around 81 villages in Leh have already been certified as organic and the remaining would be certified at the earliest. 

He further informed about the promotion of Ladakh Greenhouses and drip sprinkling irrigation techniques in Ladakh. Chosphel informed about the decision to stop using urea in fields from next year and instead promote organic manure only. He also informed about the support from the Sikkim State Organic Certification Agency (SSOCA) regarding the implementation of the MODI scheme with the aim of converting Ladakh into an organic region by 2025.   

L-G inspected the stalls in which vegetables and flowers grown by the farmers were put on display.

Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee, Councillors from LAHDC Leh; Chairpersons from Block Development Council (BDC); Director, DIHAR, Dr OP Chaurasia; Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), Leh, Thinles Dawa, district officers and farmers were present in the event.