by Jahangir Sofi
SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Valley is on the brink of an agricultural crisis as an extended dry spell threatens to decimate this year’s harvests, plunging farmers into a dire situation. Farmers across the region are grappling with severe water scarcity, facing substantial financial losses and fearing their survival without immediate and significant intervention.
In Srinagar’s Maloora area, 33-year-old farmer Farooq Ahmad surveys his withering vegetable fields. Once thriving with tomato plants, green chillies, and brinjals, his crops now droop lifelessly under the relentless sun.
“We have a variety of vegetables on our land. Look at the tomatoes, green chillies, brinjals—everything is dry and lifeless,” says Farooq.
His plight is not isolated. Paddy fields, essential for both sustenance and income, have also dried up, leaving farmers like Farooq with bleak prospects for this year’s harvest.
“Our paddy fields are completely parched. We may not be able to harvest any paddy this year,” he adds, his voice laden with despair.
Lateef Ahmad, another farmer, echoes Farooq’s concerns. “Most of my crops, including paddy, have dried up due to the lack of water,” he says.
The region’s critical lift irrigation pump has failed to provide relief, as the river’s water level has drastically fallen.
“There are no alternatives. Watering canals are dry, and the lift irrigation pump can no longer supply water. Whether it’s vegetable crops or paddy, everything is withering. This is a drought for us,” Ahmad laments.
Farmers are urgently calling for government intervention, pressing for a comprehensive relief package to address their losses.
“There is almost nothing left. The prolonged dry spell has devastated our crops. We need a financial package to help us cover our losses,” a group of farmers demands.
Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, Director of Agriculture Kashmir, acknowledges the gravity of the situation.
“The ongoing dry spell is causing severe damage to crops. We are closely monitoring all parameters, and if there is no significant rainfall by next week, we may recommend to the government that an agricultural drought be declared,” says Iqbal.
The Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department reports a 30 per cent reduction in the water level of the Jhelum River compared to normal, affecting 10 per cent of irrigation schemes.
This reduction has already inflicted substantial distress on farmers, impacting crop growth and overall productivity.
Prof Dr Raihana, chief scientist at the Faculty of Agriculture at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir, highlights the severe impact on crops. “The extended dry spell has put immense stress on plants, leading to stunted growth in both paddy and vegetable crops. Paddy crops have burning tips, and vegetable leaves have turned dry,” she explains.
Dr Raihana notes that producing one kilogram of rice requires 3,000 to 5,000 litres of water. “The water deficiency is evident,” she adds.
Social media videos starkly illustrate the crisis, showing parched paddy fields and wilting saplings under the relentless sun.
The lack of precipitation and above-average temperatures have severely impacted crop growth, delivering a heavy blow to the region’s agriculture-based economy.
Weather forecasts offer a glimmer of hope, predicting generally cloudy skies with intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers across the Kashmir Division and most of the Jammu Division from August 1-5.
As farmers like Farooq anxiously await relief from the hot and dry conditions, the prolonged drought continues to threaten their livelihoods and the Valley’s agricultural economy.
