Dr Banarsi Lal
J&K is a mountainous Union Territory in which about 30 per cent of the area is under cultivation. Agriculture is the backbone of J&K. This sector provides employment directly or indirectly to about 70 per cent population of J&K. The average size of landholding in India is 1.08 hectares where as in Jammu & Kashmir it is 0.54 hectare. Agriculture contributes significantly to the economy of J&K which signifies the overdependence of the J&K on agriculture. Agricultural development harbingers the overall growth and development of J&K. The use of fertilizers and other agrochemicals has started to increase in J&K which deteriorates the soil health. Organic farming is a method of farming in which we largely exclude the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones and we maintain the soil fertility by the organic manures, green manures, crop rotation etc. It is a unique system of farming which sustains the agro-ecosystem including biodiversity and soil biological activities. Organic farming can prove as a major tool for the second green revolution especially in the hilly regions. Majority of farmers of Union Territory of J&K have small and marginal size of land holding which generate less income particularly in the hilly areas. It is the tradition in J&K to add organic manures in the soil which supplement nutrients and improve physical and biological properties of soils. Over the years, the farmers of the hilly Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have adopted new agricultural technologies but still J&K is having low crop productivity of almost all the crops. There is need to develop systematic approach and plan for the development in organic farming in Jammu and Kashmir as J&K has immense potential for organic farming. Several steps have been taken by the government in order to highlight the importance of organic agriculture in the growth of J&K economy. There is need to make rigorous efforts to promote organic farming in J&K. Soil health is deteriorates due to indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers in the soil. In order to sustain the health of soil, organic farming is the best option. Organic farming is picking up pace in the UT of J&K and there is need of awareness and trainings of farmers for organic farming. J&K has huge potential for organic farming as a large area in J&K is already under semi-organic cultivation especially in hilly districts of J&K due to the lack of availability of chemical fertilizers in these areas and the farmers of these areas hardly apply the chemical fertilizers. Basmati rice of R S Pura, Rajmah of Bhadarwah, potato of Gurez and Machil and red rice of Tangdar, Kupwara, ginger and turmeric of Pouni, Reasi are major exportable organic products in J&K and have the potential to fetch more returns in the market. There is need to explore markets in the country and abroad for saffron, basmati rice, rajmash, spices and various other agricultural produce from J&K. In order to improve the socio-economic status of farmers of J&K, help them to get higher returns per unit area and overall improvement in the soil health along with increase in the export potential of farmers produce, specific interventions are needed to promote organic farming. Special impetus on construction of vermi-compost pits, vermi-beds, certification of organic produce and assistance for promoting bio-agents needs to be given so that farmers in near future become more competitive and generate better returns from their farms. Some specific projects on organic farming should be implemented specially in the hilly areas to promote organic farming in J&K. Area under organic farming and certified organic area need to be enhanced with the assistance of experienced service providers having certification tie up with the approved agency of APEDA. Cluster approach needs to be followed to identify the potential areas and emphasis should be given on organic farming in selected areas. Specific zones need to be identified and niche areas of organic production needs to be identified. Firstly the base line survey of the areas needs to be conducted and after that farmer meetings need to be conducted to orient the farmers on commercial organic farming. Specific demonstrations on organic input preparation such as Jeevamrit, Beetamrit, Panchgavya, vermicomposting, Matka Khad etc. should be given to the farmers. The literature in local dialect on organic farming should be provided to the farmers of selected areas of J&K. After that comprehensive trainings on all aspects of organic farming should be imparted to the farmers by the experts. Farmers should be acquainted with the uses, doses, time of application, stage of growth etc. of various bio-agents. Farmers should be oriented on less cost of cultivation and higher market returns by the adoption of commercial organic farming. By practicing organic farming even small farmers can generate more returns from their farm produce. Organic farming can benefit the farmers economically and ecologically by reducing the cost of cultivation. By organic farming, the farmers of J&K can leave a better legacy for their future generations. Farmers can also generate additional income by selling the earthworms and vermi-compost. The farmers of Jammu & Kashmir can tap the opportunity of growing demand of organic products. Organic agriculture is generally environment friendly maintains soil health and enhance biodiversity. Already large numbers of farmers of J&K are growing spices, basmati rice, walnuts, herbs etc. organically. There is need to introduce organic farming commercially, scientifically and in a systematized way so that the farmers can get rich dividends and farming can become sustainable. Keeping the importance of organic products in view there is needed to shift from chemical to organic farming. Organic farming system is not new and it is being followed from ancient times in J&K. There is an immense scope for organic Basmati rice in J&K which is grown on more than 35,000 hectares of land in J&K and has a production of over 88,000 metric tonnes, besides rajmash, spices, saffron, pulses and potato. There is need to provide logistic support for organic farming to the farmers so that they can get maximum benefits from it. Organic farming is a market demand driven agriculture which aims to fetch more prices. Postharvest crop residues can be utilized to the fullest extent. Currently the demand for organic products is more than supply. The market for organic crops is growing at a very high rate each year. The reduction in the input cost in organic farming ensures higher economic net returns. The emerging challenge for food security and environment sustainability can be mitigated by the organic farming. Good market demand for organic products will have a positive impact on the socio-economic status of the farmers of J&K. Commercial organic farming can be a boon for the farmers of J&K.
(The author is Head, KVK, Reasi SKUAST-J).
