Kusum Arora

Jalandhar

Fresh veggies for Soldiers in Siachen. A first, the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) based at Ladkah has developed ‘micro farming technology’ to produce fresh green small edible plants for the soldiers posted at Siachen glacier, the forward posts of Jammu and Kashmir and the North East.Though the trials were going on for the last two years, it was introduced four months ago in 50 units of Indian Army at Siachen glacier, the highest battlefield on earth. With this technology, the soldiers were now growing fresh green leafy vegetables in the bunkers which were 8 to 12 centimeter in height and harvested for around a fortnight only.To begin with DIHAR has introduced raddish, fenugreek, cabbage, cauliflower and coriander, which was developed in tiny plates, ensuring micronutrients and vitamins.

DIHAR is a Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) lab meant to meet the fresh food requirement of the soldiers.Dr Anand Kumar Katiyar, Scientist from DIHAR, who was here at Indian Science Congress at LPU Phagwara said, “The Indian Army has given demand for more ‘micro farming technology’ mini modular green house, which would be outsourced through some company shortly. It is an extremely low cost project and the response of the soldiers was amazing.

“Katiyar said that particularly in Siachen glacier, the soldiers face major problems because of extreme temperature ranging upto minus 35 degrees, low oxygen and no vegetation. “Earlier, the soldiers posted in Siachen and other forward posts used to depend on food in tetra packs sent by the Army Service Corps (ASC) supply via Chandigarh and Ladakh. Now, they would be able to get fresh leafy vegetables, which were meant to be consumed raw by the soldiers”, he said.

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