A farmer of Ghiling, which is situated an altitude 3,500 meters above sea level, harvested a cabbage weighing 10 kg in September last year. The news came as a surprise as vegetables like cabbage and cauliflowers normally do not grow above altitude of 2,500 meters."We were surprised to see such a huge cabbage in a farm at Ghiling. It, however, is good to note that green vegetables are being produced in the mountainous region," said Surya Bogati, horticulture officer at District Agricultural Development Office (DADO), Mustang.
Until few years ago, only spinach and potatoes were produced in Upper Mustang. However, both seasonal and off-seasonal vegetables are producing in Upper Mustang these days. Local farmers are producing green vegetables in both tunnels as well as open farms.
"It was impossible to find green vegetables in Upper Mustang until few years ago. Things have changed now, may be because of the impact of global warming," Bogati said.
DADO Mustang has been encouraging locals of Upper Mustang to grow green vegetables in kitchen gardens. Some farmers have already started commercial farming of vegetables.
"Mountainous region is gradually becoming suitable for vegetables farming due to increase in temperature. Temperature here now is suitable for vegetable farming. Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, tomato, cucumber, bitter gourd and bottle gourd, among others, can be grown here," Manohar Kadaria, horticulture officer at DADO Mustang, said.
Sanotsh Sherchan, conservation officer of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), said many villagers have started planting green vegetables in their kitchen gardens.
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