WE THE PEOPLE
Kashmir's geographic conditions demand self-sufficiency in staple crops, other edibles to reduce dependence
Hence conscientious citizens demand conservation of water, preservation of J&K Land Revenue Act and latest techniques to boost production
By: M. Shirjeel
Srinagar: With prevailing scenario, agricultural production and development of Sheep/ Animal Husbandry are gaining significance to meet present and future challenges. Hence it becomes necessary for the experts of Agriculture and Animal/Sheep Husbandry to have a global outlook to achieve self-sufficiency in their respective areas. Their vision should be global with eye on European countries as well as China which are the biggest competitors in agri-production today. They must remember that agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, dairy and allied sectors possess huge potential for generating employment too as jobs in Government Sector are limited.
All concerned have to remain on guard so that fruit plants are not raised on the fields producing food-grains. A balance has to be struck between fruit and food-producing areas and for that the scientists can play a positive role. They have to create awareness among farmers and suggest such techniques, which will help in producing maximum out of minimum land available at present. There has been mass conversation of paddy-growing areas into orchards and residential colonies regardless of restrictions spelt out in Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act. There is also need for introducing double and triple cropping pattern by pooling resources and research. However, it is heartening to learn that the approved draft for 11th Plan focuses on development of agriculture sector. This is to counteract the global trends in food production and prices that are going to put increasing pressure on both the availability and prices of basic food items. The country needs to manage these pressures and ensure that food planning adjusts to the emerging market realities. We must remember that India is likely to experience water-shortage as the Himalayan glaciers are depleting, reinforcing thereby the need for water conservation to ensure steady agricultural growth.
"As far as the State Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, the future scenario is expected to be more alarming as food producing areas are shrinking at a fast pace. Here people have remained engaged in gradual conversion of Abi-Awal and Abi-Doum lands either into orchards or residential-cum-commercial establishments. Moreover, there has been steady migration of rural population to urban areas, putting thereby tremendous pressure on land. This reinforces necessity for providing basic amenities of life to rural population to discourage their migration to urban belts of Kashmir. This also calls for implementation of National Urbanization Policy to ensure the Rural-Urban Integrated Development in terms of economic activities within a regional perspective. Apart from conversion of Abi-Awal areas into built-up areas, people have also remained busy in filling low-lying areas to raise structures. This has reduced area of detention basins, which used to provide relief whenever the water-bodies would be in spate. Such usurpers have forgotten the natural phenomena that flood waters carve out ways and do not know boundaries. This was witnessed when a medium flood overtook the Valley and the patients had to be evacuated from JVC Hospital to Soura Institute. Many official buildings in its vicinity got also submerged and damaged official records. This shows lack of imagination on the part of those who have resorted to mass construction of buildings in Bemina which is actually a flood zone. Now the Government has also constructed Haj House in the same locality which is likely to face flood fury whenever it occurs", said a group of experienced persons of Kashmir Valley, having knowledge of agriculture and floods.
Therefore, Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act is required to be followed strictly to avoid encroachment on food growing areas in the Valley. The agri-scientists are required to play their role and suggest scientific techniques to ensure bumper production to meet future demands. Moreover, all of us are required to use water economically to avoid its wastage. Self-sufficiency in agriculture production cannot be a distant dream provided joint efforts are made by the State agencies to boost production in whatever way possible. This will also help the State Government to stop flight of capital involved in the purchase of food-grains through Food Corporation of India. Similarly production/ development of poultry and sheep to meet the present and future requirements can make the State quite self-sufficient.
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