Currently, Mushk Budji was formerly considered a precious gift to the agricultural legacy of Jammu and Kashmir, is seeing a remarkable revival in the Anantnag district by way of launching the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme.
The current reports indicate that Mushk Budji is being cultivated in an area greater than 451 hectares compared to just 245 hectares at the start of this scheme. Mushk Budji is not just a numbers-based agricultural success story – it is a legacy of intentional agricultural policy, farmer empowerment, and sustained growth of an indigenous crop.
Mushk Budji was always the first choice of connoisseurs because of their Magical aroma and flavor. Their ability to select their preference across years of cultivation has taken a hit in the current climate of costs of expensive cooperation for the growers, yields that are seemingly low productivity and a base cluster of high-yielding hybrid varieties to compete with.
The timely intervention of HADP is rewriting the destiny of farmers in Anantnag by providing them with access to high-quality seeds, sustainable farming practices, and improved market access.
The implications are promising. All farmers in Anantnag are poised to take advantage of the incentives of premium prices and higher yield of their inputs as a result of the HADP impact on Mushk Budji.
The increase in area under Mushk Budji crop not only provides more opportunities for rural incomes, but adds to Kashmir’s pride as a major producer of aromatic rice that is thought of as the best quality. Lastly, the introduction of the heritage crop is perfectly timed with global movements towards organic and indigenous items, thereby providing export prospects.
As discussed above, Mushk Budji is a success story for the HADP as a gold standard for how an appropriate agricultural policy can precipitate revival of a heritage crop, enhance farmers livelihoods and add a little richness to a village economy.
It’s success also highlights the issue of conserving biodiversity, as well as preserving indigenous agricultural knowledge and practice in an age driven by market induced monocultures.
As the Mushk Budji crop brings a revived sense of awareness to the farmers in Anantnag, we hope the government will remain supportive so the crop gains even greater impetus.
This aromatic rice product can emerge as a signature product of Jammu and Kashmir and can go on to acquire international acclaim with sustained efforts. The story of Mushk Budji is proof that when two sides of the tradition/innovation coin embrace one another the result can yield prosperity for all.
