The Last Straw

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

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