Karsog Valley Traditional Agriculture and Orchards Mandi

Karsog valley in Mandi district is a relatively low-altitude (1400m) valley with a mild climate supporting both apple orchards and wheat cultivation. The valley's sheltered position creates warm conditions compared to surrounding higher areas. Traditional wheat and barley cultivation on terraced fields follows the seasonal calendar with wheat sown in October and harvested in June. Apple orchards established in the 1980s onwards provide commercial income supplementing subsistence grain cultivation. Traditional knowledge of companion planting, crop rotation, and soil management without chemical inputs is maintained by experienced farmers. The valley is relatively less visited making it a repository of traditional agricultural practices less disrupted by commercial pressures.