Growing a warm-season watermelon crop in cold desert Ladakh

Abstract

Watermelon is a typical warm season crop. The global consumption of watermelon is greater than that of any other cucurbits. It is widely grown in tropical and sub-tropical countries including India. However, watermelon is not traditionally grown in trans-Himalayan Ladakh region. Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh, Ladakh conducted studies on feasibility of watermelon cultivation in open field conditions in high altitude conditions on various cultivars. The findings revealed that the watermelon can successfully be grown in open field conditions with the help of black plastic mulch in Ladakh region. The technology was successfully demonstrated at farmers’ fields and the know-how was transferred to the State Agriculture Department and working NGOs for its further dissemination in various villages of Ladakh. The benefit received on per rupee investment (Cost: Benefit) in watermelon cultivation was 3.40. Currently, farmers are not only cultivating watermelon commercially but also providing it in the army ration for Ladakh sector.