As the icy-cold winds howl against the barren hills of Ladakh, Dechen Angmo’s vegetable garden, a passive solar greenhouse, comes as a solace in the dark winter. It provides him with homegrown vegetables in freezing temperatures.
“Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined growing vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, and highly temperature-sensitive crops like tomatoes in the winter months. But with the help of Ladakh greenhouse, a passive solar greenhouse, it has become possible and also allows enhancing my income,” he said.
Dechen is not the only one who has benefitted from passive solar greenhouses. The concept is catching up fast with the farmers who are keen on growing different types of vegetables in winter months when vegetable availability is scarce in the region.
Ladakh remains cut off for over six months in a year due to heavy snowfall. Availability of locally grown fresh vegetables is restricted to summer months, and therefore, there are seasonal differences in dietary intake of food.
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