The primary areas of our interest are organic production of millets and rhizomes (turmeric and ginger) that promise to supplement the incomes of the local villagers as well as enhancing nutritional content in their diet.

In addition, we are according priority to identifying medicinal plants and aromatic herbs that can be grown in this micro-climatic region. Traditional knowledge about the rich variety once extant here is fast dwindling and there is an urgent need to save and reclaim, conserve and promote whatever we can. Himalayan 'superfoods' is another area that is of primary interest to us.Our emphasis has always been on the neglected and underutilised species in the region and to further promote these crops in the region of Uttarkhand. A very significant part of the project is on crops like amaranth, minor millets, buckwheat, barley and beans, many of these were traditionally grown in the area. Unfortunately over a period of time people lost interest. These Himalayan superfoods are highly nutritious. For instance amaranth is rich in iron and lysine, an amino acid found in low levels in the other major cereals. These cereals have been even neglected by the modern day agricultural research and development and have fallen out in favour of staple foods like wheat and rice. We are cultivating these crops at our project site to examine how best they can be replicated in our other project locations.

Several edible items like fruits, berries and grains, grasses and leaves have long enjoyed the reputation of having miraculous properties medicinal, curative as well as preventive - along with exceptional restorative and rejuvenating properties.At present as part of our project we are cataloguing many of such products with the association of the villagers.

Another part of the project is to train the participating villages in proper methods of organic agriculture. Our programme begins with soil testing and methods of preparation of organic manure and pesticides. Vermi-composting and organic pesticides made of cow urine and neem leaves. The villagers are sensitized from the outset that to retain the tag of organic absolute standards of purity must be maintained to obtain high grade yield. Careful attention has to be accorded to the quality of seeds, transplant and grafting. We lay emphasis on insitu value addition (like sun drying), proper packing, labelling etc.