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About Us

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Introduction and brief history

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Lahaul & Spiti-II at Tabo, which is a part of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan was established in 2017 for strengthening transfer of technology to the farming communities of District Lahual & Spiti with the objective to promote cultivation of high value cash crops like temperate fruits, off-season vegetable crops and training in various aspects of Horticulture and Forestry for increasing productivity and self employment.

The KVK is situated 47 km away from district sub division headquarter Kaza at a village called Tabo which is situated at an elevation of 3243 meter amsl, representing true arid cold temperate climate of North–West Himalayas. The geographical position of the KVK is 32⁰ 5.15' North latitude and 78^o 23.054' East longitude on the globe. Total land area with the KVK is 12.47 ha. and has plantation of temperate fruits such as apple, apricot, pear, prunes and almond. The soil of the KVK is clay to sandy and gravely and represent the soil health of entire Spiti valley. The agricultural productivity in the Spiti especially of horticultural crops is comparatively lower than Lahaul valley and other districts of the State. Farmers are willing for crop diversification and adoption of new technologies. The scientific manifestation of different temperate fruits, protected nursery production of apple, apricot, pear and almond, vegetable cultivation in protected conditions and successful installation of drip and sprinkler system of irrigation has widened the scope of fruits and vegetable growing in the Spiti Valley. There is virtually no rainfall during monsoon in the region because of rain shadow effect but during past few years there was unprecedented rainfall and snowfall also observed. The summer is dry and short, while winter is long cold and freezing. Snowfall usually occurs from November to April. During winters, temperature drops to as low as - 30^oC.

The harsh environmental conditions of Spiti permit only scattered tufts of hardy grasses and shrubs to grow, even below 4,000 metres. Glacier lines are usually found at 5,000 meters. The common livestock are yak, cow, mule, donkey, sheep, goat and little poultry. Besides these, Zo and Zomo (male and female) in progeny of cross between cow and yak are also very common. Zomo milk has very high fat content. Among the wild animals in Spiti, the wild goat, the naboo, snow leopards are also found, however, one can also see ibex and brown bears during winter. Total population of district is 31,528 which contribute 0.46 % to the total State population and population density is 2 persons per km2. Literacy rate in the district as a whole is 77.24 % (86.76 % Male and 66.50 % Female). Primary source of economy is Agriculture. Lahul & Spiti which is largest district in the state in respect of geographical area (24%) is ranked the lowest in terms of operational land holdings and area under cultivation. In the lower region of Spiti, Apple cultivation is commercially done which has boosted the economy of the farmers. In addition to apple, apricot and almond is also grown by the farmers but on very small scale. Pea is the commercial vegetable crop grown in the entire district. Other vegetables like Cabbage, Cauliflower, Summer Squash, Tomato etc. are also cultivated in small scale in spiti valley. Wheat and barley is also grown on large scale for their domestic consumption. Cropping Pattern Spiti has 1220.2 ha of total cropped area mostly under cereals (Barley & Wheat) 510 ha (42% of cropped area), vegetables (Pea & Potato) 500 ha (41%), pulses (Rajmash & Kala Matar) 8 ha (0.64%) and fruits (Apple & Apricot) 200 ha (16%).

Vision

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To work towards a sustainable increase in the productivity of the farm based enterprises which would result in a better socio-economic condition of the farmers

Mission

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• Krishi Vigyan Kendra is a project of ICAR for testing and transfer of the agricultural technologies to bridge the gap between the production and productivity and to increase self- employment opportunities amongst the farming communities. In order to achieve the objectives, the KVK has to carry out activities as under in order to fulfil its mandate:

1. To organize vocational training programmes in agriculture and allied enterprises
2. On farm testing (on farmers' field) in crop production, horticulture, livestock production, fisheries etc.
3. Frontline demonstrations on major cereal crops, oil seeds and pulses and other enterprises related to agriculture, and
4. In- service training of field level extension officials