Which crops are grown in Hindu Kush valleys?

Agriculture in the valleys of the Hindu Kush is primarily conducted on small, irrigated plots. The region supports a variety of crops, including:

• Grains: Wheat, barley, millet, and corn (maize) are commonly grown. Rice is also cultivated in the valleys of the Swat and Dir districts, as well as parts of Chitral.12
• Legumes: Peas and beans are standard agricultural products in these mountain settlements.1
• Orchards: Valleys feature orchards that provide essential food sources, particularly during periods of drought. These include mulberry, walnut, almond, jujube, apricot, and apple trees.21

In addition to these crops, local populations cultivate fodder trees such as poplar, willow, and Russian olive in the western Hindu Kush. Agriculture, alongside the raising of livestock like goats and oxen, forms the basis of the regional economy.213