This year Jammu Kashmir is witnessing an unprecedented weather system and continuous rainfall in plains and snowfall at upper reaches is disturbing the whole ecosystem.
The farming industry seems at the receiving end. Wheat production in Jammu region may suffered a substantial decline given the untimely rains over the past few days. However, in Kashmir’s southern region the hailstorm wrecked havoc to the mustard fields.
Now the rains doesn’t allow the smooth paddy cultivation in any part of Kashmir. The people associated with farming across both the regions feel distressed. Farming is one of the potential economic industry of Kashmir which fetches substantial revenue to run the UT’s GDP.
However, these concerns may not end here. The continuous and untimely rains if further may hit the Apple industry of Kashmir . More rains simply means apple crop attracting diseases and lower prices in the market. Moreover, it may also bring down the production of crop.
So the question is how the government may secure the industry and allay the genuine fears of farmers. The centre sponsored crop insurance scheme needs to be extended to all sectors of farming and at the same time farmers must be educated and apprised of its benefits.
The government shall further ensure all farmers are included and covered under the scheme since majority of the farmers are poorly educated and have no idea of the crop insurance scheme.
With the significant changes in the weather system affecting the farming industry, it is necessary for government to intervene and provide financial and technological support to farmers since we may have to live the changing weather system in future given the world’s climate change.
