Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, Apr 13: The mustard crop has registered a staggering increase of over 250 percent in the area coverage and emerged as a beacon of hope, steering the Kashmir Valley towards transforming livelihoods, fostering economic growth and reducing dependency on imports.
Official documents underscore the remarkable achievement of the Department of Agriculture, Kashmir, which has expanded the area under oil seeds cultivation from 40,000 hectares in 2020-21 to an impressive 140,000 hectares in 2023-24, marking a phenomenal growth of over 250 percent.
“This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about transforming livelihoods, fostering economic growth, and reducing dependency on imports,” the document reads, adding, “A production of over 133,000 metric tons of oilseeds has translated to 44,000 metric tons of edible oils, signifying a monumental leap towards self-reliance. With the value of oil estimated at over 770 crores, we are not just cultivating crops; we are nurturing a future of prosperity.”
The document reveals, “Before 2021-22 we were confronting an edible oil deficit of 96% where the requirement was 98,550 MT and its availability was at 36,000 MT when we had to cater to a population of 85 lakh and a floating population (tourists) of 5 lakh, but the situation has turned on its head since 2021-22 to 2023-24.”
Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a farmer in Kulgam, said, ‘With the diligent efforts of the Agriculture Department, we anticipate a bountiful mustard harvest in the valley this year, paving the way for a significant increase in our income.”
He said mustard plays an important role in our lives, from oil to various other products. “With its versatility, we produce a variety of items from it. The infiltration is high this time, so it is better to sow mustard to avoid purchasing expensive oil from the market,” he said.
Director Agriculture Kashmir, Mohammad Iqbal Choudhary said that mustard cultivation has shown “too much increase” in a couple of years. “We are always ready to assist the farmer community as our department is committed to helping the farmers,” he said.
The income of farmers has been doubled and 140,000 hectares during 2023-24 have been brought under mustard cultivation, the Director added.
