??|?? December 31, 2012 ?? 06:40am ??|
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 29
The economy of Jammu and Kashmir is predominantly agriculture based, where more than seventy per cent population is directly or indirectly associated with agriculture and its allied sectors. However, over the years, a disturbing trend has been witnessed, which continued to grip the state during 2012.
The conversion of prime agricultural land for construction and other commercial activities is threatening the food security here. This is particularly true in the Kashmir region, where prosperity is giving way to urbanisation.
It was this trend which was highlighted in the Economic Survey Report 2011-12 tabled by the J&K Government in the Assembly during the Budget Session in March.
The survey while pointing out the figures related to the shrinking of the agricultural land had recommended huge investments in the agriculture sector for ensuring food security in the state.
?Regardless of its importance to growth, income, food and nutritional security, the sector is witnessing a gradual slump in its contribution to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The estimated percentage contribution of the agriculture sector and its allied sectors is likely to be 19.41 per cent in 2010-11 as against the corresponding share of 28.06 per cent registered in 2004-05,? the report states.
Needles to say, agriculture has held a crucial place in the economy and culture of the state, where about 75 per cent of the population resides in the rural areas and is directly or indirectly linked with this sector for livelihood.
Though the government has also expressed its concern over the diminishing agricultural holdings and the conversion of land for construction and other purposes, so far the efforts for checking this trend have failed.
In fact, several attempts were made by legislators to pass a bill but neither the PDP nor the ruling National Conference has been able to bring out a legislation in their tenures banning the conversion of agricultural land in the state. Concerns in this regard compelled the J-K High Court to direct state government on December 18 to make plans to cater to the increasing demand for residential places in Srinagar.
The double Bench of the high court, which passed the orders, observed that limited available space for residential purposes resulted in illegal activities like conversion of agriculture lands.
Nevertheless, officials of the Agriculture Department of the state hope to register a growth in the production of saffron in south Kashmir this year. Officials say in 2012, the production of the saffron has been around 10 metric tones compared to 9.5 metric tonnes last year.
The higher yield has been possible by providing better inputs and high quality seeds to saffron farmers of Kashmir. Besides, under the Centrally-sponsored ?National Saffron Mission?, more areas are being brought under saffron cultivation in the region.
The horticulture sector of the state, which mostly includes the apple and the dry fruit industry, is on a path to revival with farmers taking recourse to technical aids and high density plantation.
More and more agricultural lands meant for paddy cultivation are now being brought under the apple cultivation.
The prime reasons for farmers shunning paddy cultivation and taking up apple growing and harvesting are better returns in terms of high yield and financial support to families in rural areas.
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