Increasing agricultural output
The growth in agricultural sector determines the health of our economy as we are an agricultural dependent economy. Our most of the earnings are reported in the horticulture and agriculture sectors even though these sectors have not been capitalized fully over the years.
But despite this trend our daily needs like consumption of fruits and vegetables and other eatables comes from outside states as the imports to Valley cross around three lakh metric ton of vegetables alone every year.
Besides, all other daily use items and other necessities too are being fetched on daily basis and this means that most of the cash the region has is being spend on these purchases.
The past few years, especially the last decade has put up a harsh fact that we are increasing our dependency for essential commodities on outside supplies. This includes vegetables and fruits besides mutton, poultry and other products.
Going by the pace of imports and increased demand of supplies every year experts believe that in the coming few years the demand of vegetables in Kashmir would get doubled than what was the requirement some two decades back.
Despite the huge import of vegetables to Kashmir still the per capita availability of vegetables is less than the prescribed requirement of 200 grams per person per day. This means that if the health consciousness among the people in the valley rises the imports will witness a quantum jump and thereby increasing our dependence more.
Experts fear that the increasing dependency of Kashmir for vegetables on outside supplies is draining the region’s economy. They attributed the rising imports of vegetables to conversion of farmland for nonfarm purposes, increasing value of real estate assets and lack of facilities for farmers.
Besides, the planning department and those connected with Agricultural activities are not laying enough thrust on increasing the local produce here.
The farming sector is still practicing the age old techniques and very few modern farming practices are being put into vogue in the Kashmir valley. In addition no fresh farm land is being converted into multiple farming activity zones and least avenues for increasing the irrigational facilities to Karewas are being planned.
This is evident from the fact that the agriculture share to the state gross domestic product has declined by over 13 per cent over the years. The agricultural yield over the years has shown a decline as compared to other neighbouring states. These states though being dependent on water from this region have been showing an upward trend in its agricultural output but we being a water resourceful region are not able to harness the potential on professional lines.
Agricultural activity over the years has become relatively less remunerative due mainly to unfavourable price regime and low value addition, this being the reason that no one even among the educated and unemployed youth is willing to take up this activity for commercial gains.
Besides, capital inadequacy, lack of infrastructural and agriculture being carried out as a subsistence option of livelihood has over the years affected the economic viability of this sector.
Agricultural activity can spell huge turnover for the rural economy but what is needed a fresh impetus mixed with scientific knowledge so that the agricultural produce increases manifold across the UT. This will also ensure that more and more employment avenues are created for the young people here.
KV Network
