Agricultural Resilience in a High-Altitude Cold Desert of India: Land Use Dynamics and Food Security in Leh District, Ladakh

RESEARCH PAPER

Abstract

The cold arid region of Ladakh, India, presents unique challenges to agriculture due to its harsh climate, limited arable land, and increasing pressures from population growth, tourism, and climate change. This study examines land use dynamics, agricultural productivity, and food security in Leh District, analyzing how these factors interact with socioeconomic and environmental changes. Using data from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and other regional sources spanning 1985–2019, land use patterns, agricultural practices, and livestock contributions have been assessed and analysed. Findings indicate that while the area under cultivation remains static, intensification and diversification of farming practices are critical for meeting food demands and enhancing livelihoods. Challenges such as soil erosion, water scarcity, and land degradation threaten productivity, yet opportunities like protected cultivation, high-value crops, and renewable energy offer pathways to sustainability. Policy recommendations emphasize technological interventions, sustainable land management, and value-added processing to bolster food security and economic resilience in this fragile ecosystem.