Dr Banarsi Lal & Dr Pawan
Looking into constraints and priority needs of the farmers of hilly areas of J&K, various thrust areas need special attention ensuring involvement of local community through network of developmental field groups in technological empowerment. Agriculture in hilly areas of J&K is the most important activity as it is directly related with the villager’s sustenance. Agriculture in hilly areas of J&K is mostly rain fed, poor crop productivity, poor cultivation practices etc. Hilly areas of Union Territory of J&K have immense potential in agriculture. Hilly areas have immense potential in organic farming. Already the farmers of hilly areas use meager amount of fertilizers in the soil. Organic products produced in hilly areas can help the farmers to fetch better prices. Agricultural department and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) should promote the organic farming in the hilly areas of J&K so that the livelihood of the farmers of hilly areas can be improved. In hilly areas of J&K off season vegetables can be grown which can fetch higher prices. Seed production and low cost nurseries units can be established in hilly areas of J&K to generate extra income and employments for rural people. The perishable products do not fetch better prices due to various market intricacies. The hilly areas agro-climate offers better potential for non-perishable products such as spices, pulses, oilseeds etc. Hilly areas of J&K have immense potential in horticulture. New varieties of fruit crops should be introduced in hilly areas of J&K. Hilly areas farmers need proper training on the advance horticulture. There should be proper storage, processing and packaging facilities of fruit crops for commercial purpose. Farmers of hilly areas need proper transportation facilities to sale there produce. The roads should be well connected with the cities. In hilly areas of J&K there is scarcity of fodder crops for animals is observed specially in off seasons. There should be the availability of fodder round the year. There is also need to introduce good breeds of animals in hilly areas of J&K. Buffalo rearing, poultry farming and goat rearing has lot of scope in hilly areas of J&K. Backyard poultry has tremendous scope in hilly areas of J&K. Egg laying varieties of certain poultry strains should be introduced through Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) by the KVKs. Green cover in hilly areas is very important for the maintenance of environment. The green cover with appropriate bio-engineering plantation management is considered as the need based.
Water and energy are important resources for the hilly areas ecosystem. In hilly areas large numbers of dams are in process but the traditional water mills, huller, carding devices should also be taken into consideration for the up gradation. Strenuous efforts are needed to develop sustainable technologies for harnessing and conserving renewable energy like water lifting devices, solar lantern etc. Micro-irrigation water technologies should be promoted in the hilly areas. Capacity building and technological empowerment are needed to mitigate the disaster management challenges for the people of hilly areas of J&K. Medicinal plants occurring in hilly areas of J&K have a great national and international importance. Creating awareness towards herbal therapy can provide immense scope for developing herbal industries in hilly areas of J&K. Health care of hilly areas people of J&K is an important sector that needs to be taken care of. Tourism forms the basis for the economy of many hilly places of J&K. There should be linkage between the people of hilly areas of J&K and agro-ecotourism. Rural tourism should be promoted in hilly areas of J&K so that the income of rural people of J&K can be enhanced. Bottom up approach for participatory technology development starting with the people and with the contribution of Science and Technology Institutions and close interface with voluntary organizations can provide sustainable models for technologies development and their dissemination in hilly areas of J&K. Appropriate networking and linkages among the people and various institutions can change the lives of the people of hilly areas of J&K.
(The writers are Head, KVK Reasi and Scientist, KVK Kathua).