Revival of Kashmir’s paddy fields: 10% surge in local cultivation this year, farmers upbeat

Many farmer families switch back to cultivation mode, say weather this was favourable; Cultivation area increases from 1.26 lakh hectares to 1.29 lakh hectares this year: Dir Agri

Umaisar Gull Ganie

Kulgam, Oct 07 (KNO): Much to the delight of local farmers in Kashmir, there has been a 10 per cent surge in the local rice cultivation this year after a long gap.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), an agriculture expert, wishing not to be named, while shedding light on the situation, stated that for many years, the people of Kashmir had relied on the government’s rice allocations through the Public Distribution System to sustain their rice needs. “The reduction in government’s rice allocations has instigated a transformation in the valley,” he said.

The expert further said that the cutback necessitated by government budget constraints, raised concerns among Kashmir’s residents. As rice became costlier and less in quantity, the people of the valley found themselves compelled to reassess their approach of sustenance.

In response to the dwindling rice supplies, many families returned to their agricultural roots, the expert explained. “The lush, fertile lands of Kashmir have long been known for their paddy fields. However, as government-supplied rice became the norm over time, these fields had lost some of their past glory. Now, faced with the need to secure their own food, families across the valley have rekindled their efforts in paddy cultivation.”

Farmers are overjoyed by the substantial increase in this year’s paddy production. They attribute the success to the favourable weather conditions, which were notably better compared to the previous year.

Ghulam Rasool Shah, a local farmer from Kulgam district, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am grateful to Almighty for the favorable weather and abundant sunshine we had this year. The crop yield for this year has seen a substantial increase compared to the previous year.”

Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Muhammad Iqbal told KNO that the productivity this year has increased by 10 percent as compared to previous years. “Like the previous year, this year too, the department gave all necessities to the farmers like subsidies for buying fertilizers.”

The cultivation this year has increased from 1.26 lakh hectares to 1.29 lakh hectares, he said, adding that the exact percentage of increase in production will come after ground assessment—(KNO)

All district hospitals in Kashmir lack MRI scan facility

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Oct 07 (KNO): All the district hospitals in Kashmir Valley are facing a severe shortage of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan facilities, leaving the patients with no choice but to turn to overburdened hospitals in Srinagar.

According to the information obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the absence of MRI services in government hospitals has created significant problems for patients who cannot afford private diagnostic centres. They are forced to endure long waits for their turn due to the overwhelming rush in Super-Speciality Hospital Shireen Bagh and SKIMS Soura.

Patients from various parts of Kashmir have expressed their grievances, citing the inconvenience caused by the long-distance travel and overcrowding in hospitals in Srinagar.

They said that health issues, especially for economically disadvantaged people, should not be overlooked by the authorities.

Officials acknowledge the challenges faced by patients travelling from remote areas such as Macchil, Keran, Tangdhar, Gurez, Uri, Kangan, Keller, Aripal, DH Pora, Pahalgam, and others. They urge the government to prioritise this matter and actively pursue solutions at the highest level, and ensure that patients do not suffer.

Financial constraints should not impede the allocation of necessary funds for these vital healthcare services, they said.

Doctors have noted that the absence of MRI facilities in district hospitals compels patients to travel to Srinagar or private diagnostic centres, leaving the financially weak patients with no choice but to wait endlessly at government hospitals. “This delay in diagnosis and treatment has proven to be fatal for many,” said a doctor.

Spokesperson for the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mir Mushtaq acknowledged the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare facilities for the people.

“While MRI services are presently unavailable in district hospitals, these services are accessible in tertiary hospitals in Srinagar,” Dr Mushtaq said.

He expressed hope that in the future, such crucial facilities would be extended to new medical colleges and major district-level hospitals—(KNO)‏

J&K records deficient rainfall of 25% in August, September

Fresh WD to hit J&K; rains, snow expected from Monday

Owais Gul

Srinagar, Oct 07 (KNO): Amid deficient rainfall of 25 per cent in August and September, Jammu and Kashmir is expected to experience a two-day wet spell from October 09, 2023 as a fresh Western Disturbance would hit the Union Territory on Monday.

Director Meteorological department, Sonum Lotus told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the weather conditions would remain fair to partly cloudy across Jammu and Kashmir on October 08, 2023 (Sunday).

“There is a possibility of rain and snowfall over higher reaches at scattered places of Jammu and Kashmir from Oct 09 to 10,” Lotus said, adding that the main activity will be on October 10.

He further said that the weather would remain mainly dry from October 11.

From October 14 to 20, the weather would remain mainly dry while a brief spell of rain/snowfall over higher reaches cannot be ruled out, although chances are less, he added.

The weatherman has advised farmers to postpone harvesting on Oct 09 and 10.

Pertinently, J&K recorded a deficient rainfall in August and September months while the heat wave was recorded in the month of September in which the hottest-ever days were recorded at a few places, breaking the decades old records in the UT.

In two months, J&K recorded a deficient rainfall of 25 per cent as against the normal precipitation of 280.6 mm, UT received 209.6mm rainfall in August and September, details available with KNO said.

In August alone, there was a deficient rainfall of 29% as against the normal of 184.9 mm, J&K received a precipitation of 131.1 mm only.

In September, J&K recorded a deficient rainfall of 18 per cent as against the normal rainfall of 95.7 mm, only 78.5 mm precipitation was recorded.

As per the details, Monsoon season in general witnessed above 5 percent precipitation than normal from June to September—(KNO)