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2.1
Farming systems rely on diversity
Diversity has always been central to farming systems
in the challenging environment of the Hindu
Kush Himalayan mountains. A generally harsh
climate, rough and sloping terrain which needs
to be terraced, poor soils, and short growing
seasons characterized by low temperatures and
reduced plant growth often lead to low agricultural
productivity and food deficits (Figure 3). Farms
here are labour intensive, low input systems of low
productivity. Mountain farmers grow field crops and
trees, keep livestock, and collect non-timber forest
products, as well as engage in off-farm activities
such as labour, petty trade, tourism, and other
services to ensure livelihood security. The majority
of households collect their own seeds for cultivation,
use only an ox or buffalo for ploughing, and use
manure and compost in the fields. While most of
the HICAP sample populations in the Upper Indus,
Koshi, Eastern Brahmaputra, and Salween-Mekong
sub-basins have access to agricultural land, farming
is carried out on comparatively small parcels of
