Srinagar: Climate change continues to pose a challenge to the farming community in Kashmir even as the government is taking various measures to restrict its impacts on the crops.
The agriculture sector, which is one of the main contributors to the economy of the union territory contributes 16% to GSDP of Jammu and Kashmir and provides employment to 60% of UT’s population.
Through interventions including new high-yield varieties, the Agricultural GDP in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is targeted to increase from Rs 37,559 crores to Rs 65,701 crores by the next five years.
However, climate change continues to be the main hurdle in the growth of the sector thereby causing concern among the farming community. It has compelled the farming community to change their methods of farming from traditional to scientific, to restrict the damage due to the weather vagaries.
In recent years, Kashmir has been witnessing an unusual shift in its climate. The weather patterns seemed to be undergoing a metamorphosis, bringing about too much rain and unexpected warmth.
Take the instance of Aamir Ahmad of south Kashmir’s Shopian district who too grappled with the changing climate.
For decades, the orchards had thrived, producing quality apples in the region. However, the erratic climate began taking its toll on the once bountiful trees. Aamir found himself unable to predict when the blossoms would appear, and the apple-picking season became shorter.
With a heavy heart, Aamir decided that it was time to rethink his business plan. He realized that clinging to age-old practices might no longer suffice. Along with his fellow farmers, he attended community meetings and sought advice from agricultural experts to find sustainable solutions.
During one such gathering, an agricultural scientist named Dr. Farah addressed the concerned farmers. “Climate change is indeed a formidable challenge,” she began, “but it also presents an opportunity for innovation and adaptation.”
Dr. Farah introduced the farmers to new crop varieties and cultivation techniques that were more resilient to the changing climate. She encouraged them to diversify their produce, reducing their reliance on water-intensive crops and exploring alternatives that could thrive in different weather conditions.
Inspired by Dr. Farah’s insights, Aamir decided to experiment with different apple varieties that could withstand varying temperatures and rainfall patterns. He also began growing drought-resistant crops that required less water, such as quinoa and barley. To supplement his income, Aamir started cultivating saffron, a crop known for its adaptability to diverse weather conditions.
As time passed, Aamir’s efforts bore fruit, quite literally. His diversified approach allowed him to mitigate the risks associated with unpredictable weather. He was no longer solely dependent on a single crop, and his income became more stable. Other farmers in the valley also began implementing similar strategies, fostering a sense of resilience and camaraderie among them.
Moreover, the farmers of Kashmir began adopting sustainable practices, conserving water, and minimizing their carbon footprint. They realized that preserving the environment was crucial for their own survival and that of future generations.
While the changing climate in Kashmir still posed challenges, the farmers were no longer helpless. Through their determination and willingness to embrace change, they proved that adaptation was the key to thriving amid uncertainty.
“Weather has been a major constraint for the farming community. What has been observed for the last two years is that farmers have changed their method of farming. They rely on the advisories and advice given by the agriculture department and SKUAST, which has helped them to save their crops,” said Ghulam Mohammad Dar, a farmer from Baramulla.
Director of Agriculture Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal said they are working to introduce drought-resistant crops to minimize the impact of climate change on the agriculture sector.
“Climate change obviously is becoming a major concern for the farmers. We have seen that sometimes transplantation of crops gets delayed and even diseases attack crops due to excessive rainfall. But in Kashmir we haven’t seen any major impact of climate change on crops yet,” he said.
Iqbal said they are taking various measures including the inclusion of drought-proof varieties and raising awareness among farmers.
“We constantly guide our farming community in case of any eventuality. We are also working to introduce many varieties of drought-resistant crops to empower our farming community,” he added.
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