SRINAGAR: With Jammu and Kashmir facing an extended dry spell, authorities have raised alarms about an impending drought and urged farmers to switch to crops requiring less irrigation.
Joint Director (Extension) of the Agriculture Department, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, said that the ongoing dry conditions could lead to a severe water crisis, particularly impacting paddy cultivation, which demands substantial irrigation.
“Farmers at the farthest ends of irrigation canals should reconsider planting paddy and instead choose crops like maize, pulses, and millets that require less water,” Shah advised.
He warned that north Kashmir, already grappling with water shortages, may face an even more dire situation, with south Kashmir likely to experience similar challenges as springs and water bodies dry up. Vital irrigation sources, including Achabal (Anantnag), Bulbul Nag (Pulwama), and Aripal (Tral), are depleting rapidly, threatening the entire Kashmir region’s agriculture.
The department is currently working with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology (SKUAST) on a contingency plan to mitigate the crisis. This plan will be shared with the media soon, Shah added.
The Meteorological Department has already issued a drought warning for Kashmir, raising concerns for the upcoming agricultural season. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also emphasized the urgent need for intervention amid the looming water crisis.
Farmers across various districts have expressed fears over their livelihoods and water supplies, urging the government to implement necessary support measures to help them navigate the challenging year ahead. (KNO)
