Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 10: The food crisis in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to worsen significantly as the agriculture sector bears the brunt of recent heavy rains and devastating floods. Standing crops have been washed away across large swathes of the region, while thousands of hectares of fertile land have turned barren after rivers altered their courses in several areas during the floods.
According to official data, the state’s total food grain production stands at around 18 lakh metric tonnes, far below its annual requirement of 23 lakh metric tonnes, resulting in a deficit of over 5 lakh metric tonnes. With this year’s paddy crop severely affected by floods and waterlogging, experts fear that the shortfall will only deepen in the coming agricultural season.
The areas traditionally regarded as the state’s “Rice Bowls,” known for their high-quality paddy, have been among the worst hit. The low-lying regions of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts have borne the maximum impact from torrential rains and river overflows. Rivers such as Chenab, Tawi, Manawar Tawi, Devak, and Basantar have altered their courses at multiple locations, causing severe damage to cultivable land.
Thousands of acres of previously fertile farmland have been rendered barren and uncultivable. Floodwaters washed away topsoil and left thick layers of sand and silt on the fields, destroying entire crop cycles. In many places, fields that were ready for harvest have been transformed into wastelands.
One of the worst-hit areas is the Chenab basin, particularly Pargwal Island, where large tracts of land have turned infertile, dashing the hopes and livelihoods of hundreds of farming families. The force of the floodwaters created deep gorges, sweeping away entire paddy fields. On August 26, the mighty Chenab River dramatically shifted its course, exacerbating the destruction.
Similarly, the Tawi Island belt, comprising over 45 densely populated villages, has suffered massive losses. Large portions of farmland have either been washed away or covered with silt as the Tawi River altered its path through the region, leaving once-productive fields unusable.
In response to the calamity, teams have been deployed across Jammu province to assess the damage. The exact extent of agricultural losses will be determined following comprehensive village-level surveys.
With food grain production already lagging and now compounded by crop devastation, the state faces a daunting challenge in ensuring food security in the months ahead. |
