Rice crop in Kashmir Valley: Historical perspective, challenges and opportunities for sustainable production and livelihood improvement

Rice crop cultivation is an integral component of rich heritage of Kashmir valley. Currently the paddy cultivation extends to 1.5 lakh ha area and is occupied by high yielding varieties, local landraces and cultivars, and old varieties. The crop at present is facing a number of challenges the major one being the shrinking cultivable rice area due to population growth, urbanization and land conversion towards horticulture and other pursuits. The production constraints the crop faces include biotic and abiotic stresses, occasional droughts, deteriorating soil health, etc. A number of high yielding varieties and management technologies have been developed and popularized, however, some interventions are still needed to improve rice crop performance on a wider scale. Mechanization in rice farming is one of the components that has brought in the scope of high input agriculture in rice farming, however, in Kashmir due to fragmented land holding, the advantage of mechanization has not been realized fully. Similarly, the issues related to resource conservation and post-harvest technologies have not been fully addressed at the field level which otherwise can make rice a more remunerative crop. Cultivation of high valued local rice varieties and fine grained basmati types have got ample scope to augment farm income. With regard to quality seed production, modernization of seed villages and participatory seed production approaches together with bringing efficiency in resource management and crop establishment methods seems indispensable. Exploring the economic benefits of high valued rice need to be restructured by creating Farm Producers Organizations (FPOs) and an approach of linking them with assured marketing channels can result in improved livelihood opportunities. This paper has dealt in detail the constraints in rice production and policy recommendations to make rice farming in Kashmir an economically profitable and ecologically sustainable venture.