Pirul Protects Spinach from Frost in Kumaon: Farmers' Innovation

• Mountain farmers use dried pine needles (pirul) to protect spinach crops from frost damage in winter.
• Pirul acts as a natural insulator, preventing frost from settling directly on leaves and maintaining warmth.
• Farmers spread a thin layer of pirul over spinach beds at night and remove it in the morning for effective protection.
• This cost-effective and traditional method protects 80-90% of the crop and improves soil fertility.
• The technique is gaining recognition as a sustainable and scientific solution for cold regions.

Why It Matters: Pine needles offer farmers a cheap, sustainable way to protect crops from frost.