Prolonged dry spell: Farmers, residents across north Kashmir offer special prayers

Baramulla, Jul 30: The residents across north Kashmir, especially the farmers offered special prayers to seek divine intervention with regard to an end to the prolonged drought and scorching heat that wreaked havoc on agriculture, causing concern to the farmers.
The severe dry conditions, which lead to unprecedented high temperature, has taken a toll on Kashmir’s agriculture and horticulture sectors, with rice, vegetable fields and orchards becoming vulnerable.
The prolonged dry spell has prompted people across the region to hold special prayers, praying for an end to the prevailing weather conditions.
Special prayers were held across various areas of north Kashmir, including Baramulla, Sopore, Rafiabad and Handwara parts.
Distressed farmers, fearing substantial crop failures, said that their fields are experiencing extensive damage, be it rice and vegetable fields or orchards. “Our fields are parched and orchards are withering,” the farmers across the region lamented.
“I have never witnessed such a situation. Our fields and orchards are witnessing severe damage. If it goes on like this, our fields and orchards won’t yield anything,” a 65-year old farmer from Naganari area of Baramulla said.
Rousal Hassan Malik, a farmer from Handwara said that crops are dry and dying due to water scarcity. “The irony is that we are using drinking water to try to save our crops. However, the people here are grappling with the shortage of drinking water as well,” Malik said.
Similarly, Abdul Ahad Bhat, a fruit grower from Langate, associated with the business for several years said that due to the dry spell, the fruits are suffering from reduced size and color, which is impacting the economy; as a result they are unable to secure genuine rates for their produce.
Another farmer from Kupwara said that the Agriculture produce, including vegetables, Rajma and other crops have suffered from reduced size due to prolonged dry spell.
A 75-year elderly man said that they had never witnessed such a situation earlier. “It seems Kashmir has become Punjab now. Let’s humbly bow to Allah and seek forgiveness,” he said.
Attempts to reach Director Agriculture Kashmir could not materialize, as the official was not available for his comments.
Meanwhile, Director Horticulture Kashmir, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat had earlier said that around 60 per cent of orchards in Kashmir are rain-fed, and the ongoing dry conditions could result in undersized fruit, heavy fruit fall and a decline in quality.
“Such conditions not only affect the current season’s yield but can also reduce the fruit-bearing capacity of trees in future seasons, which damages the apple trees that growers work hard to maintain,” he said.
It’s noteworthy that several water sources that feed the fields have witnessed significant declines, thus exacerbating the situation across the region, with local administration putting their efforts to ease the residents amidst the water scarcity.