Buckwheat gives Sikkimese a healthy alternative to wheat

In the high slopes of Sikkim, where difficult terrain, acidic soil and long dry spells make farming an arduous task, buckwheat is grown plentifully along with other traditional crops. The hardy, low-maintenance crop flourishes on poor soil and has a growing season of only 12 weeks. And it grows so thick that it smothers weeds and adds nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil.

Despite its name, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is not a grain. It is a high-fibre fruit seed that