ABSTRACT
Vegetable production in the hill farming system has major stakes for nutrition, livelihood, and economic sustainability. Most often, successful 40cultivation of high-yielding varieties of vegetables in the hills cannot be achieved due to various biotic and abiotic stress factors. In the vegetable production system in hills like Sikkim, people still prefer to grow the local landraces and relish more in consuming these vegetables. Local landraces and germplasm of vegetables stand good for organic farming owing to their wide adaptability to local environment and fair resistance to pest and diseases. The present study envisaged to understand the pattern of availability of these vegetables in the local market and to assess the price fluctuation. Perception of the consumer was also recorded for their choice of vegetable. It is inferred that a policy can be adopted by the local government for expanding the area and market of these vegetables. Some of the vegetables like Ishkus, Lentils, Ningro, Sisno, Palak, and Simrayo are available almost 8 to 9 months a year and fetch as high as other vegetables. Almost 90% of the consumers consume these vegetables owing to their medicinal properties and organic cultivation, and above all, they have consumed it from their childhood.
