| Technique |
Description |
Benefits |
Challenges |
| Mulching |
Farmers in the Ladakhi village of Phey are defying the odds by successfully growing organic watermelons (a crop typically unsuited for the cold desert region) using Mulching |
Prevents soil erosion; Increases organic matter in the soil |
Lack of technical knowledge; Higher initial setup cost; Need for constant human intervention |
| Mulching involves covering topsoil with plant materials like leaves or straw. It helps create a soil structure that allows rainwater to infiltrate easily, reducing runoff. |
| Hydroponics |
Hydroponics is a soil-less farming method where plants grow in a water-based nutrient solution, often with an aggregate substrate like vermiculite or coconut coir. |
Resource efficiency; Higher yields; Reduced labour costs; and increased plant yields. |
Lack of technical knowledge; High initial setup costs; Need for constant human intervention; Infrastructure limitations hindering widespread adoption |
