SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s land resource appears to be small and stagnant, according to recent government data presented in the Lok Sabha today. The state’s net sown area has seen only marginal growth over the past five years, rising from 713 thousand hectares in 2018-19 to 733 thousand hectares in 2022-23. Despite a slight increase in the first two years, the area has remained unchanged at 733 thousand hectares for the last two years, indicating a plateau in the expansion of cultivated land.
In contrast, the cultivable (arable) land, including the net sown area and other lands that can be used for agriculture, showed a more gradual growth. It increased from 1,091 thousand hectares in 2018-19 to 1,094 thousand hectares in 2022-23. However, this growth is also limited, highlighting the challenges faced in making significant strides towards increasing agricultural output in the region.
Land and agriculture are state subjects under India’s Constitution, with state governments responsible for expanding cultivation and preventing the diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes. However, the Government of India supports these efforts through various initiatives and budgetary assistance, including the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY).
The WDC-PMKSY, which focuses on rainfed and degraded lands, aims to increase the area under cultivation by improving land quality through activities like soil and moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting, and pasture development. A total of 1,150 projects covering 50.16 lakh hectares have been sanctioned under this scheme, with a total cost of Rs 12,303.32 crore. Central assistance amounting to Rs 4,548.70 crore has already been released for these projects, which are set to continue until March 2026.
Besides, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed several technological solutions to improve land productivity, such as bio-engineering techniques for soil erosion control and reclamation technologies for problem soils. While these technologies have shown success in other states, the challenge remains to apply them effectively in Jammu and Kashmir to expand the area under cultivation.
Despite these efforts, the stagnant growth of land under cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir raises concerns about the region’s agricultural potential and the need for more innovative measures to enhance productivity. The government’s focus on improving degraded lands and providing technological solutions is crucial, but the overall success of these initiatives will depend on their implementation and the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices.
