Buckwheat Cultivation and Hill Grain Diversity Almora

Buckwheat (Fagopyra esculentum, locally called Ogal or Kuttu) is a traditional crop grown in Almora and across Kumaon hills at elevations between 1500 and 3000 metres where wheat and rice cannot thrive. The crop grows in poor mountain soils with minimal inputs and matures quickly fitting into short growing seasons. Buckwheat flour makes traditional flatbreads (Pooris) eaten during religious fasting periods and regular meals in hill households. The crop is also fed to cattle as green fodder and dried stalks are used as fuel. Buckwheat flowers are an important honey source for beekeepers in hill areas. Traditional knowledge of buckwheat cultivation, variety selection, and cooking methods is embedded in hill agricultural culture and maintains crop diversity in mountain agro-ecosystems.