Organic Farming in Jammu Division : Sustainability Starts in the Deal

Organic Farming in Jammu Division : Sustainability Starts in the Deal

 Abstract

Organic farming offers an alternative to more widespread, high input farming practices that use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. It is based on the idea that the soil is a living system so these synthetic products are largely excluded from organic farms. Organic agriculture relies on crop rotation, animal manures, crop residues, green manures and the biological control of pests and diseases to maintain soil health and productivity. Organic crops are often of higher value than conventional ones and the volume of organic crops shows a continually increasing production trend. The sale of crops labeled as organic or biological is highly regulated in most advanced markets. The environmental impact of organic farming is low and can be seen as a way of cleaning up and improving degraded agricultural land. Organic farming is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, so as to keep the soil in good health by the use of organic wastes and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes. Nutrients are provided to crops for increased sustainable production in an ecofriendly and pollution free environment. The aim is to create integrated, human, environmentally and economically sustainable production system which maximize reliance on farm derived renewable resources and management of ecological and biological processes and interactions so as to provide acceptable level of crop, livestock and human nutrition, protection from pests and diseases and appropriate return to the human and other resources.

Operates the principles of natural farming:-

• Round the year soil cover
• Minimal Disturbance of Soil i.e. Reduced tillage.
• Bio stimulants as necessary catalysts to reduce dependence on fertilizers and increase ability of plants to withstand stress.
• Diversified farming system, with multiple crop types, trees, animal component etc.
• On farm recycling of farm waste.
• Higher organic residue inputs to the soil
• Pest management through botanical extracts
• No Synthetic Fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides etc.
• Local raw material to the maximum extent possible, therefore reducing dependence on costly external inputs.

Background and justification

Agriculture is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir. It contributes about 65 per cent Of the state revenue which signifies the overdependence of the state on agriculture. The total Geographical area of this state is 2, 22, 236 sq. km and its population is 1, 25, 48,926 (Census 2011). Jammu and Kashmir is a mountainous state in which the Jammu region is Predominantly sub-tropical while the Kashmir region is temperate. The average size of Landholding of the state is only 0.73 hectare. There Are various factors which are responsible for the environmental catastrophe in the state. The Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agrochemicals is on rising in the state which deteriorates the soil health.

Over the years, the farmers of the hilly state of Jammu and Kashmir have adopted New agricultural technologies but still, the state is having low productivity of almost all the Crops. There is need to develop systematic approach and plan for the development in organic Farming in Jammu and Kashmir as the state has immense potential for organic farming. There Is need to make rigorous efforts to promote organic farming in state as it has immense scope in this sector. Soil health is deteriorating day- by- day due to indiscriminate use of chemical Fertilizers in the soil. In order to sustain the health of soil, organic farming is the best option. Organic farming is picking up pace in the state and there is need of awareness and trainings Of farmers for organic farming.

The practices of organic farming shall be based on the following main agenda.

• Nutrient management
• Pest management
• Disease management
• Moisture management

Reasons for adoption of organic farming in Jammu & Kashmir

• Farming under rain fed conditions with low productivity.
• Kashmir farmers are traditionally organic.
• Soil is rich in organic matter .
• Very low consumption of chemical fertilizers and pesticides .
• About 50,000 Ha area under organic by default where fertilizer has never been applied
• Tourism spin-off–To promote Tourism through Organic Village concept.

Fig: – comparison of rainfed area of jammu division with other regions

Areas and crops to be declared organic in Kashmir.

Problems/ issues to be addressed by adopting organic farming

• Depleting soil health/organic matter
• Imbalance in fertilizer use
• Emerging multi-nutrient deficiencies
• Negative soil nutrient balance
• Agro-ecosystem pollution
• Low farm yield

In the following years, the central government started the Jammu Kashmir Arogya Gram Yojna programme to promote the cultivation of aromatic plants in one thousand villages in Kathua, Jammu, and Udhampur. Scientists and aroma experts from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) were supposed to find the land where it could be grown. Science and technology minister Jitendra Singh said that farmers will be able to earn between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh per acre annually through thescheme.The national govt promised to initially invest more than Rs 25 crore in this initiative. The institution of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) participated in the study. It was adopted in 10 J&K districts. The CSIR was responsible for providing the farmers with professional instruction and seedlings of up to nine species of medicinal and aromatic plants. Five distinct types of lemongrass (Cymbopogon), rose (Rosa), mint (Mentha), ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera), and phalsa fruit plant were chosen for J&K. The Times of India stated in 2014 that around 305 farmers in Ramban, Doda, Udhampur, Kishtwar,and Kathua cultivating 152.5 acres of land were identified as beneficiaries of the scheme.

During the last two years, the agriculture department has done a terrible job of making this sector grow. In 2020, the Kashmir Agriculture Department created a comprehensive organic market in Srinagar with the intention of providing a market for organic goods and reviving vermin compost culture. Secondly, in Pulwama, the department has just developed a model organic hamlet.

Conclusion

For improving agricultural sustainability in Jammu and Kashmir, organic farming has enormous potential. The study shows that this environmentally friendly method enhances farmer livelihoods, protects biodiversity, conserves water resources, and increases soil health. Organic farming reduces the environmental dangers connected to conventional agriculture by lowering reliance on synthetic inputs and adopting natural agricultural practices. However, the region needs the combined efforts of a number of stakeholders,including the government, farmers, researchers, and consumers, in order to successfully implement organic farming. Accelerating the adoption of organic agricultural practices requires assistance from policymakers, capacity-building programmes, awareness campaigns, and enhanced market access. Adopting organic farming in Jammu and Kashmir may not only preserve the ecological balance but also guarantee the region’s agricultural sector’s long-term viability and development.

References

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373075968_Natural_Farming_in_Jammu_Division_of_Jammu_and_Kashmir_Policy_Paper

https://justagriculture.in/files/newsletter/2022/february/049.pdf

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Biju Borah Sir, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary science, for giving me this great opportunity to learn and gain knowledge on this topic and helping me in publishing.

RITIKA SAMBYAL

BVSc & AH student, 3rd Professional year,

Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University

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