Pictured: Kashmiris harvest rice crops in dwindling paddy fields

People are harvesting rice in Kashmir. Photo: Mubashir Khan/GK



As autumn or Harud approaches in Kashmir, rice farmers in Kashmir have started harvesting rice and the fields that were still green during sowing have turned into golden rice. Photo: Mubashir Khan/GK
While many landowners hire migrant workers to get the job done, many rely on themselves and their families to harvest the produce. Kashmiris are passionate about eating rice. Photo: Mubashir Khan/GK
Kashmir’s long picturesque, lush rice fields are rapidly disappearing to make way for concrete buildings and urbanization. Photo: Mubashir Khan/GK
According to official data obtained by Greater Kashmir, a staggering 6.5 lakh kanals (approximately 33,309 hectares) of rice fields have been transformed in just over a decade. Photo: Mubashir Khan/GK
In 2012, Kashmir had approximately 1,62,309 hectares of land dedicated to rice cultivation. Fast forward to 2023 and the area of ​​the region has decreased dramatically by 33,309 hectares (0.65 million hectares), with only 129,000 hectares currently devoted to rice cultivation. Photo: Mubashir Khan/GK
The disturbing trend raises concerns about the sustainability of agriculture in the region, as per capita land holdings fell from 0.62 hectares to 0.59 hectares between 2011 and 2016, official data shows. Photo: Mubashir Khan/GK
The rising demand for local rice in Kashmir has led to an increase in rice prices as the government reduces allocations through the public distribution system. Domestic rice sells for nearly 4,000 rupees/kg. Photo: Mubashir Khan/GK
“Paddy fields have been replaced by housing and commercial buildings. The land is being swallowed up due to road construction and erection of large buildings,” a farmer told Greater Kashmir. Photo: Mubashir Khan/GK