The Field Research Laboratory (FRL) Leh, since its inception in 1960, has been initiating research into agro-animal resources under the aegis of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence in the inhospitable cold desert of Ladakh where winter temperatures drop to minus 30 celsius. In the depths of the Ladakhi winter local farmers are in a position to provide fresh spinach and live chicken. This success has encouraged FRL to expand their branches to the fertile Nubra Valley to boost the fresh content of the food of soldiers battling both, elements and the enemy in Siachen. Another branch in Kargil is likely to be activated again.

With the induction of 14 Corps in to Ladakh, the supply-load on the Army Service Corps (ASC) has increased tremendously. And by the time fresh vegetables and meat reach the end user (usually 3 to 4 days after it has been harvested), a fair percentage looses its freshness, nutritive value and sometimes these are no longer fit for human consumption. To overcome this long standing problem, FRL is in the process of launching several ambitious schemes to ensure improved quality fresh food to troops whilst simultaneously reducing the burden on the defence exchequer in terms of airlifting fresh supplies to Ladakh.

"Fresh vegetables, onions, potatoes and garlic cultivation technology, developed by FRL during the last 35 years, has been adopted by local farmers. We have introduced them to the techniques of poly-house and trench cultivation practices for 53 varieties of vegetables and they are meeting approximately 25% of the 4200 ton annual requirement of the troops", says Col DP Attrey, Director of the FRL at Leh.

The laboratory is also contemplating an ambitious project to supply 100% requirements of eggs - a staggering 10 million annually - by helping the locals to raise 35 poultry units of 2000 layers each.

FRL has successfully developed huge underground, solar heated bunkers that can comfortably house broilers even in the freezing winter of Ladakh.

The current local availability of milk is rated at 10% which is slated to be improved to 30% by encouraging locals to start dairying. To this end, improved strains of cattle will be introduced to locals and a model dairy farm is on the anvil in the Nubra Valley to augment the supply of fresh milk to troops in Siachen.

Another noteworthy venture undertaken on an experimental basis is the evaluation of Ladakh’s unique floral wealth in terms of its medicinal potential. Emphasis is being laid on evaluating yield potential of medicinal plants, identifying suitable methods of propagation in non-endemic areas, and subsequently their dissemination to the farmers for commercial cultivation. And lastly, to propagate important plants by tissue culture with a view to protect them from extinction.

There are numerous other projects on the board including greening of Ladakh, experimenting with crossing of Changthangi and Karkul goats for better meat yield, testing farm soil and advising farmers accordingly, and introducing vegetables of the cucurbit family to the Ladakhi horticultural repertoire and, thereby, indirectly to Army langars. FRL is doing yeoman service to the agro-industry of Ladakh and improving the economic profile of local farmers by offering them both, appropriate technology, hybridized seeds and livestock as well as the market for their products.

An interesting project is the successful introduction of a new fruit not just to Ladakh but to the country. It is the Sarda melon, which boasts a sweetness factor of 20 brix. Brix is a standard measure of sweetness in fruits and vegetables.