Agriculture and horticulture in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India: Practice, problems, and progress

The agricultural and horticultural practices of the region vary from other parts of India due to a variety of factors. The most important one is, of course, the unique climate and landscape of the Himalayas. The mountainous territory strongly influences both techniques and crops. Most agriculture takes place in the form of terrace cultivation, with small strips of the mountain slopes having been more or less levelled out to allow cultivation. The quality of the soil is less than optimal with few nutrients and many small stones and rocky patches. Further, the altitude leads to a harsh climate. While in the valleys with an altitude of around 1500 m above sea level the cultivation can still take place most of the year; it is reduced in the summer months in regions above 2500 m. Yet, the people there particularly depend on agriculture for survival, largely because the remote locality of their villages denies opportunities in other fields. The area is purely rain-fed, which creates difficulties if the monsoon and snow fall turn out weak. Problems of accessibility and transport are further crucial aspects of the farming in Kullu district.