For many centuries the population of Ladakh has led a self-reliant existence mainly based upon subsistence agriculture (self-sufficient in food-grain production), pastoralism and caravan trade. Since several decades, Leh District, a part of Ladakh, whose population is doubled from about 70000 in 1981 to 145000 in 2011, is no more self-sufficient in food-grain production. To overcome the demand-supply imbalance a large quantity of rice and flour wheat is imported every year by traders, cooperatives and central government. However to be self-sufficient is an important issue for this land locked territory which has not trade restrictions but severe constraint in transportation. Importing goods to Ladakh necessitates the shipping of goods by … Continue reading Vladimiro Pelliciardi