Being in the Kulgam district of Kashmir’s Qaimoh region, Wanigund is known as ‘The Cucumber Village.’ After suffering through numerous recent hail storms, other crops suffered damage, but these farmers are making tremendous profits; they are producing over 250 to 300 quintals of cucumbers every day!
The livelihood of almost 200 families in this area is based on growing cucumbers.
The area has many educated young people, who have trouble finding government jobs. The Kulgam district is a shining example of self-sufficiency and dignity through hard work.
The cucumbers dont just end up in or around Wanigund, as the meat produced by farmers and growers there is enough to feed their families and prove that agribusiness can be very lucrative.
However, there are some negative editorial factors associated with that particular area. The area has unbelievable agricultural productivity, but many of the farmers there do not receive adequate support from government programs in regards to agriculture.
Given that the farmers and growers in Wanigund sell hundreds of quintals of fresh produce to the daily market, they require more adequate financial support, crop insurance, and grants for modernization to help protect their livelihoods.
On a positive note the government officials are attempting to educate farmers about the available schemes.
They say that everything can be found online, therefore everyone needs to know how to apply for programs. There will not always be tools provided to individuals at their doorstep; sometimes individuals will also have to work to get help.
The continued success of Wanigund proves the mettle of Kashmiri farmers.
The administration must step in at once to provide adequate infrastructural backing to these hardworking growers.
With increased support for “Cucumber Village,” this new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs will succeed on their own as this local success story spreads into a model for rural prosperity.
