WE THE PEOPLE
With Shrinking of Paddy Production Areas, J&K has turned Food-deficit State in India
Hence Role of SKUAST-K has become very crucial to bridge gap between Demand and Production
By: MNS/Rameez
Srinagar: The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, J & K was established in the year 1982 with the objectives of catering to the research, education and extension education requirements of the State. A demand for the establishment of a separate Agriculture University for Jammu region was projected as agro-climatically and topographically, the Jammu region is different from the Kashmir division having diversity among its livestock, type and pattern of cropping and socio-economic/geographic linkages. The problems of Jammu region are location specific in research on crops, pulses, fruits, oil-seeds, vegetables, agriculture, species of livestock and poultry.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted a high-powered committee popularly known as the Madan Committee. The Committee recommended, in principle, the establishment of the separate Agricultural University for Jammu. Accordingly; the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Act of 1982 was amended by the State Legislature providing for a separate Agricultural University by the same name (SKUAST of Jammu).
But, SKUAST (Kashmir) has failed to bridge that gap between Demand and Supply on Food Front and the State continues to export huge quantities of Rice every Month from different States of India. To meet the food needs of its people.
Ali Mohammad, a farmer said, "We have not seen much done by SKUAST with reference to the overall betterment of agriculture in the Kashmir Valley.Our prestigious institutions have tragically developed a tendency to be famous for controversies rather than yielding any path breaking discoveries or achievements for the welfare of masses".
Bu as a matter of fact, agriculture is the main occupation for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. About 80% of the people are dependent on agriculture and its allied sectors for their livelihood. The state is basically a mono-cropped and rain-fed economy with 40% area in the Jammu division and 60% in Kashmir division. The major crops include rice, maize and wheat. The productivity level of paddy is about 40 quintals per hectare in Kashmir valley which is the highest in the country.It is a Rabi crop sown in August and harvested in March or April. It requires a cool and moist climate in the beginning and dry at the time of harvesting. Important wheat producing areas are Kathua, Ranbirsingpora, Samba and Reasi. In Kashmir, wheat is grown like grass.Except paddy,the valley of Kashmir has sen a down trend in almost all the chief agricultural products it produces.
With maize crop making waves all over the world due to its bio fuel properties, the average yield of maize has shown a downward trend in Kashmir with yield reaching four and half decades old levels.
Pertinently, Kashmir boasts of an 'exceptional' agricultural research institute in the form of SK University of Agricultural and Technology, the average yield of maize, one of Kashmir's principal crops, has off late regressed to 10.47 quintals per hectare (Ha) in Kashmir.The yield per hectare in 1964-65 was 12.65 quintals/Ha. The negative trend has developed irrespective of development of SKUAST (K) on broad bases and various centrally sponsored research programmes besides the agriculture department responsible for food grain production.The trend is quiet upward in the Jammu region where it has increased by an insignificant 1.23 quintals from 16.74 quintals/ Ha during the period.
Hence Role of SKUAST-K has become very crucial to bridge gap between Demand and Production in Kashmir valley.
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