The government in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has taken a very important step towards agriculture reform and implementation of new farming practices that will help promote greater access to more diverse crop varieties which will be better able to withstand variations in weather patterns and will therefore help support their farmers’ livelihoods against environmental changes.
Through this proactive approach to commercialise food and provide an abundance of food options, the region will ultimately provide for food security into the future and create a sustainable economy.
As climate change impacts more farmers each year, and rainfall patterns continue to change, farmers who rely solely on just one type of crop will be more vulnerable to the negative effects of the current changing environment.
The government is implementing multiple innovative programs designed to modernise the existing agricultural infrastructure, while understanding these environmental factors, the government has been actively working with farmers through its various programs to diversify the types of crops being grown by moving away from traditional grains and developing value-added crops such as medicinal herbs, off-season vegetables, and other aromatic herbs instead.
Farmers who live in areas that are prone to hazards are taking steps to mitigate their risk of loss through the planting of a more diverse array of crops as opposed to planting only grains that are sensitive to changing weather patterns.
Just like assembling a well-rounded financial plan, diversification of crops can keep farmers’ income consistent each year and provide multiple income avenues through crops grown together.
The government has thus far provided a wide array of support services to help farmers in the transition and expansion of their crop production.
The government has developed several programmes to assist farmers with training, producing organic crops, providing greater access to markets via longer-term sales contracts and how to establish markets.
The support provided by NABARD for new borewell systems for growers and the implementation of micro-irrigation systems gives growers an alternative way to solve their water supply shortage problem, which encourages them to expand and try growing new crops.
The new combination of traditional agricultural techniques and modern sustainable agricultural techniques is continuing to build a prosperous agricultural community in Jammu and Kashmir that will not only be able to adapt to the impacts of climate change but also reap the positive effects of climate change.
The willingness of the government to support development of climate resilient agriculture will cement a positive future for the farmer community.
