Sharda Lal
Nek Raj, a farmer from Kishtwar is extremely worried about crop prospects as the rains have been generally evading during the current kharif season. Kewal Krishan and Ramesh Kumar from Gulmana (Mohalla) and Kandhote villages respectively in Doda district have also said that not only the rains are evading, but the temperature also has remained soaring very high during the current kharif season and the crops are wilting and fields wearing a blighted look. Position is not much different in Ramban – Gool areas. Maize and pulses are facing acute water stress in these areas. I understand that situation on the whole remains similar in other un-irrigated areas of Jammu region almost every year and every season. Farmers in the hills often suffer on account of inadequate stocks of seed, fodder and self produced food grains, soil water, farm mechanization and denuded hills and mountains.
Prominent environmentalist Bhushan Parimoo from Jammu says, “The human population may have the ability to tide over the drought and famine conditions for quite some time with food grain supplies from the Public Distribution department and other Government support systems, but what about the cattle and other animals? How will these dumb creatures survive, particularly in the drought affected remote and hilly areas? Moreover, the situation can get worse as it has happened many times in the past when heavy rains occur during later part of the season.”
In Jammu and Kashmir, the recommended contingent measures in agriculture generally centre on the sowing of alternative crops in the event of the failure of the main season crop, but it is seen that these recommendations are not practicable most of the times. Non availability of adequate quantity of seed of alternative crops, continued uncertainty of weather and inadequacy of appropriate machinery for efficient and timely agricultural operations remain the major constraints.
Taking the research, structural and economic priorities of the Union Territory into account, it may take several years to overcome the said constraints. Therefore, right now, the Government shall have to monitor the crop – weather situation closely and take such contingent measures in advance which ensure maintenance of timely and adequate supplies of food grains and fodder to concerned areas and farmers, especially the remote ones. Absence of any Fasal Bima Yojana in the UT makes the adoption of such measures more imperative.
For a lasting solution, Government should consider establishment of fodder banks, at least in every Panchayat. Training must be imparted in establishment of silage making units and preparation of silage by every farmer as they invariably keep animals. Seed Banks for contingencies at Panchayat level must be the other priority.
Not only the national, but international development priorities in recent years, unmindful of adverse environmental impact bring to my mind the old Hindi film song,
“apni uljhan aap badhaataa,
hota khud hairaan,
khilona maati kaa”.
We have seen how a number of big forest contractors in the past in connivance with government machinery and local public have indiscriminately denuded the local forest wealth in erstwhile Doda – Udhampur districts making these areas extremely vulnerable to droughts, landslides and fragile ecosystems. Some of the forest contractors became prominent politicians later, no doubt with public support!
One may agree or not, but the extensive road and rail construction activity and widening of roads across the steep slopes of fragile mountains have destabilized the human and animal habitat, both. Water sources have dried up and erosion has increased. Aren’t the narrow, but carefully engineered and regularly maintained roads involving minimum slicing off of the mountains more feasible?
It is also apprehended that by not taking into consideration the environmental aspects, vegetation and micro climate in the plains even, the beauty of Ranbir Canal which runs along Akhnoor – Jammu Road will be devastated by the current four laning project though it is of several economic and strategic advantages. Ranbir Canal, the life line of Jammu district needs to be conserved and beautified at all costs.
Going back to the hills and the mountains, it is well known that denudation leads to other harmful impacts on farming like soil erosion, reduction in moisture holding capacity and fertility of soils. It was felt that the Participatory Watershed Management Programmes, Integrated Watershed Development Projects followed by the latest National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, Sub Mission for Agricultural Mechanization and PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana shall bring the long desired synergy and convergence in efficient management of finances and land – water resources, but Covid – 19 pandemic seems to have disturbed all the priorities of the Government. The governments shall not be able to use Covid – 19 as an alibi for getting late in making interventions in these areas, however.
Adoption of appropriate technology and equipments for tapping and use of water resources, construction of water storage tanks/ reservoirs, increasing water use efficiency through terraced farming, contour – bunding, micro-irrigation systems like sprinkler and drip irrigation, establishment of custom hiring centres and farm machinery banks, establishment of plant nurseries and plantation activities, especially in the hills must be given top priority and adequately funded, even if it requires cutting down upon the budget of some non-priority items. Subsidy should be given to group activities in preference over the individuals so that funds are judiciously allocated and properly dispersed among the beneficiaries. Self Help Groups and Farmer Producer Companies will get empowered through this intervention and a community development culture will emerge in agriculture.
BWMP – Establishment of food grain banks, seed banks and fodder banks at least at the Panchayat level (B), Proper and efficient use of water resources (W), need and area based farm mechanization (M) and increasing area under plantations (P) are emphasized as the ultimate key to mitigate the adverse impacts of climatic aberrations (drought and floods) in the hilly states and union territories like Jammu and Kashmir. These interventions are a key to sustainability as well.
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