Lowland crops grow in Nepal’s highlands as temperatures rise

Experts warn of risks to soil and native crops, but farmers celebrate bountiful harvests.

Until five years ago, Sita Rokaya of ward 7 in Simkot Rural Municipality, Humla district, had no choice but to buy vegetables from Nepalgunj and Surkhet at exorbitant prices due to high transport costs. With flights irregular and cargo limits imposed by airlines, fresh vegetables were often unavailable or very expensive.