The Kashmir Pulse

NEW DELHI — The Centre on Tuesday said that the production of saffron has declined by over 67 per cent from 2010 to 2024, however, the production has increased marginally by 4 per cent in the last year.

Replying to a question raised by National Conference MP Hasnain Masoodi in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Arjun Munda, as per the news agency KNS, said that as per the estimates provided by the Office of Financial Commissioner (Revenue), UT of Jammu & Kashmir, the production of saffron in Jammu and Kashmir has decreased from 8.0 MT in 2010-11 to 2.6 MT in 2023-24 (provisional), resulting in an overall decline in production by about 67.5% over the period.

"However, during the last one year from 2022-23 to 2023-24, the saffron production has marginally increased by 4%," he said.

He also said that as per the information received from the Planning and Agriculture Production Department of J&K, out of the 128 deep bore wells sanctioned under the Mission, 123 have been constructed by the Horticulture Department and handed over to the Mechanical Engineering Department, Kashmir for their harnessing and further linkage with the Sprinkler Irrigation Systems.

"The Mechanical Engineering Department, Kashmir has successfully connected 73 deep bore wells with the Sprinkler Irrigation Systems having a command of 2187.08 hectares. However, the irrigation facilities are not being utilized fully as the User Groups for management and upkeep of these bore wells have not been created as per the Mission Guidelines and have not been handed over to the farmer user groups," he added.

The minister also said that as per the information received from the Planning, Agriculture Production Department of J&K, there has been no report of adverse effects on saffron flowers due to factors such as cement dust from any industrial establishments.

"The Agriculture Production Department along with the revenue authorities, UT of J&K are implementing the Saffron Act, saffron rules and other revenue laws which safeguard the saffron land from being diverted for any other purposes," he added.

He further said that no high-level committee has been constituted by the Government of India to look into the declining condition of saffron production.

"However, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India has requested the UT Administration to conduct a detailed review of all the activities taken up under the National Saffron Mission in J&K to ensure the effective utilization of infrastructure and facilities created under the National Saffron Mission for the overall development of saffron sector in Jammu & Kashmir," he stated.

SRINAGAR — The persistent dry spell in Kashmir is wreaking havoc on farmers, as crops suffer extensive damage, prompting the Agriculture Department to issue advisories.

On the outskirts of Srinagar, farmers report substantial losses in turnips, carrots, radishes, and collard greens due to the arid weather conditions.

Nazir Ahmad, a distressed farmer, expressed concerns over the dried-up turnip crops, and a group of farmers highlighted the financial losses incurred. The unexpected weather challenges have disrupted the agricultural rhythm, leaving farmers grappling with emerging consequences.

Director of Agriculture, Kashmir, Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, assured that the department is closely monitoring the situation and will issue an advisory soon to guide farmers through the ongoing dry spell.

In Anantnag district, the dry spell raises concerns for mustard crops, with farmers reporting deficiency symptoms due to insufficient rainfall or snowfall. Mustard, an annual crop harvested in April, faces vulnerability as the lack of precipitation impacts water availability for upcoming seasons.

Ghulam Rasool Shah, a farmer from Anantnag, expressed worry over the mustard crop's yellowing, emphasizing its reliance on winter snowfall for irrigation.

Director of Agriculture in Kashmir, Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, stated that the department is actively addressing the issue, and an advisory will be issued shortly.

Meanwhile, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) issued an advisory for orchardists and farmers amid the dry spell. The advisory includes recommendations for Apple, Almond, and Apricot orchardists to avoid pruning and irrigation and maintain sanitation to prevent freezing injury.

For field crops like oilseeds, wheat, peas, and oats, the advisory suggests thinning of brown sarsoon crop, organic mulch use, and field sanitation. Additionally, orchardists are advised to use organic or inorganic mulch, surface scrapping for aeration, and apply shallow irrigation if critically needed during the day.

As the dry spell persists, the cumulative impact on agriculture in the Kashmir Valley raises concerns about the livelihoods of farmers and the region's overall food security.

SRINAGAR — A joint team of the enforcement wing of the J&K Agriculture Department and Pesticides Association on Tuesday seized a huge quantity of substandard fertilizer in Sugoo village of Shopian district.

As per a statement, the inspection was led by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal and was conducted after credible inputs to curb the black marketing, use of substandard fertilizers and unauthorized sale of fertilizers.

The statement reads that around 200 quintals of substandard fertiliser were seized during the inspection.

The director said that a team from the enforcement wing of the department raided and found that a huge quantity of substandard fertiliser was being used.

He assured that strict action according to law shall be initiated against such people who are found involved in such activities.

SRINAGAR — A team from Department of Agriculture Kashmir on Friday seized 421 bags of subsidized fertilizer which was illegally stored in a private plywood factory in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

An official told the news agency KNS that they got a tip-off that subsidized urea was being illegally stored in a plywood factory.

He said that while acting on it, a raid was conducted in the presence of the Magistrate and 421 bags of Kisan urea were recovered.

He added that the factory was also seized while the further course of action is being followed and police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

"Illegal acts like this won't be tolerated at all and action will be taken against those found involved as the enforcement wing is continuously working on the ground," he said.

JAMMU — Following the declaration of Jammu and Kashmir as “Free Area” for LSD, the Agriculture Production Department has lifted the ban on intra-district and inter-district movement of bovines in J&K along with the import of elite healthy dairy animals from outside the UT.

An official order issued in this regard stated that all the provisions related to “Free Area” contained in PCICDA, Act 2009, shall be strictly adhered to while importing dairy animals from outside the UT.

Pertinently, the Government of J&K yesterday declared the whole of the UT of J&K as “Free Area” for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vide Notification S.O 36 dated 16.01.2023 as per the provisions of Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act 2009 as no case of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in bovines has been reported in UT of J&K for last two months and also more than 90% affected animals have recovered from the disease.

It has been reported that the disease is under control in the UT and also in neighbouring states. Around 72728 cattle contracted LSD in J&K since July 2022, out of which, 3015 animals died due to the disease.

The UT government acted swiftly towards tackling the disease and initiated various measures to control the disease which included vaccination of 20.5 lakh cattle and a ban on the import of dairy animals from outside the UT.

Any individual, bovine dealer or beneficiary of any scheme who intends to import dairy animals from neighbouring states should necessarily carry a valid certificate indicating the date of vaccination; vaccine type used; brand name; dose; route of vaccination; specie/breed of the animal; age; lactation number; status of the animal (milking or pregnant); INAPH tag number, name of previous owner along with parentage and mobile number from a qualified veterinarian of Animal Husbandry Department of respective state serving in the sourced area along with the official seal, signature and mobile number/email address of the veterinarian. The concerned veterinarian of the sourced area should also certify that the dairy animal has not contracted the Lumpy Skin Disease Infection during the recent outbreak.

Besides, samples shall be collected from 5% of the imported animals at Lakhanpur for close monitoring of the disease.

The order also said that Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules 2009 issued vide SO 2465 (E), dated September 22, 2009, and all the standing instructions/guidelines issued by J&K Government for import of dairy animals into the UT shall be strictly followed.

Chief Animal Husbandry Officers of the districts declared as Free Areas for Lumpy Skin Disease have been directed to closely monitor the situation and the decision on lifting the ban on the import of dairy animals can be reviewed depending on the evolving situation.

Pertinently, the ingress of LSD into UT of J&K has impacted the implementation of the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS) during 2022-23. Lifting of the ban will provide relief to dairy farmers of J&K as well as intended beneficiaries of IDDS and Breed Multiplication Scheme of Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

PAMPORE — The Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir on Tuesday organized a saffron festival in Karewas of Pampore.

The festival was organized in collaboration with the Agriculture Department, SKUAST Kashmir, Cooperative Societies, and local saffron growers.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang K Pole said Kashmiri saffron is popular all over the world and it is needed to work together to maintain its reputation. He said the government has introduced several measures to boost saffron production through technological interventions, technological support, and irrigation facilities.

The Divisional Commissioner said that farmers need to take benefit of the technological interventions and make use of the better irrigation facilities and GI certification for better returns. He also exhorted the farmers that they should not use the Karewa land for any other purpose as this land produces the world's best saffron.

He said that the tourists have added to the economy of the locals as the tourists are experiencing the landscape of the saffron fields. He further said that GI tagging has opened new windows for Kashmir saffron and the government is endeavoring to ensure that all the globally accepted quality parameters are met during the cultivation and post-harvest management of the saffron.

Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary, while speaking on the occasion, said that the government is committed to bringing the saffron Karewas on the tourism map of Kashmir and said that wetlands and saffron are an interconnected economy to the local populace of Pampore.

Mr Baseer appreciated the Tourism Department for organizing the festival, thereby creating an interface between tourists and the local saffron growers. He thanked all the stakeholders for their support and cooperation and said that more such festivals will be organized on a larger scale. He said that the participation of locals is a sign of better things to come.

Director Tourism Kashmir, Fazl-ul-Haseeb also spoke on the occasion and said that more festivals will be organized to involve more and more locals in the promotion of saffron, so that the concerned growers' economic interests are secured at all levels. He said the aim of holding a festival at Pampore was to celebrate the uniqueness of the place and the pride saffron cultivation has brought to Kashmir.

Director, Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, saffron growers, representatives of various travel and trade bodies, and other stakeholders were present on the occasion.

Earlier, the festival witnessed many cultural events and activities, folk dances, and music performances. A skit by a young artist on Nasha Mukta Abhiyan won accolades from the audience.

SRINAGAR — Agriculture sector in Kashmir was affected by climate change as 25 per cent of paddy land remained without a crop this year.

The crisis was triggered by the unavailability of irrigation because of sweltering June, when paddy is cultivated, affecting hundreds of farmers in the region.

A top Agriculture official told the news agency KNO that about 25 per cent of paddy land got affected this year as farmers were unable to sow paddy in the face of irrigation shortage. He said that the spring was very hot due to which there was a water crisis in many areas and farmers were forced to opt to sow other crops.

The official added that if such a situation continues for a few more years, it will be devastating not only for agriculture but all sectors will be hit.

He suggested farmers leave monocropping and adapt multiple cropping so that if crops get affected, they will have a choice in times of crisis. “Farmers must use short duration crops with low-risk factors, low investment and resort to the diversification of agriculture so that they can produce different crops,” he added.

Experts believe that the effects of climate change are likely to increase in the coming times and there is a need to take adaptability measures to lower the effect of climate change.

SRINAGAR — Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo today chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to discuss the issues/difficulties pertaining to the movement of trucks carrying fruits and vegetables on the national highway from the valley.

While chairing the meeting, Atal Dulloo directed the concerned authorities to take immediate measures so that fruit-laden trucks are provided with a smooth passage.

ACS directed Police and Traffic authorities to provide round-the-clock and hassle-free safe passage to the fruit-laden trucks on the interior roads and highway on priority basis and avoid unwarranted stoppages enroute.

He further directed them to monitor the fruit transportation on a daily basis besides they will hold review meetings with fruit growers and other concerned officers and take further course of necessary action.

Atal Dulloo said that fruits and vegetables, being perishable commodities, need hassle-free passage of movement from Kashmir valley and all measures shall be taken to ensure early, prompt and remunerative marketing.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Tribal Affairs, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary; Secretary in Agriculture Production Department, Mohammad Akbar Wani; senior officers from Horticulture, Agriculture, Traffic, Police Departments and fruit growers.

SRINAGAR — In wake of the deficient rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir in the past over one month, the experts here have suggested the farmers take all the necessary steps to ensure that their crops are not damaged, which would lead to huge losses to them.

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the orchardists have been advised to take all the necessary measures for both the crops including standing crops as well as Kharif crops.

A top official in the Agriculture department told KNO that so far there has been no damage to the crops due to the deficient rainfall, but still, the advisory has been issued to ensure there is no damage to the crops in case the dry spell persists.

A meeting of experts was held recently under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K) to formulate an advisory for agriculture and horticulture in view of the current prevailing above normal temperatures and rainfall deficit.

“For oil seeds (Mustard), stage Siliquae (Pod) formation, light irrigation in case of availability of irrigation, in case of showers, no irrigation is required,” the document, a copy of which lies with KNO reads, adding that for Oat in the vegetative stage, apply light irrigation if the available application of a top dose of nitrogen at the rate of 4.25kg/kanal where sufficient rainfall is received or irrigation is available and for flower initiation stage, the orchardists have been asked to apply light irrigation on priority.

For wheat in the stage of booting/flowering, apply zinc at the rate of 2kg in 400 litres of water for 20 kanals or Boron at the rate of 600gm in 400 litres of water for 20 kanals, it said, adding that for peas in the stage of flowering/pod formation, the orchardists have been asked to wait for the shower or give light irrigation, if available, with weeds to be cut and put in place as mulch.

For vegetable crops, cole crops and root crops in stage flowering/seed/formation, they have been asked to do light irrigation.

For horticultural crops (Apple) in the petal fall stage, the growers have been asked to start drip irrigation in HDP for half an hour in the morning and evening hours. Organic mulching of individual trees, spraying of fungicide at petal fall stage before rains or immediately after rains and also apply calcium chloride 0.3% in orchards at the fruitlet stage.