1,836 posts vacant in Kashmir's Agriculture Department
Srinagar, July 20: The Agriculture Department in Kashmir is grappling with a severe staff shortage, with 1,836 posts lying vacant across various cadres. The startling figure has raised serious concerns about the department’s ability to effectively serve the region’s largely agrarian population.
According to official data shared by the Director of Agriculture Kashmir, the department has a total sanctioned strength of 4,905 posts. However, only 3,069 posts are currently filled, indicating that more than one-third of the department’s workforce is missing. This shortfall is affecting both administrative functioning and field-level operations.
The vacancies are spread across all levels. In the gazetted cadre, which includes senior officers and technical heads, 270 posts out of the sanctioned 526 are vacant. This leaves only 256 officers currently in position, raising questions about the department’s leadership and planning capabilities. The situation is even more alarming in the non-gazetted category, which forms the backbone of on-ground operations. Out of 3,238 sanctioned posts, only 1,928 are filled, leaving 1,310 posts vacant.
Even in the Class IV category, which includes essential support staff, there is a shortfall of 256 posts. Out of the 1,141 sanctioned positions, only 885 are currently occupied.
Experts warn that the chronic shortage of manpower is likely to hamper the implementation of key agricultural schemes, reduce outreach to farmers, and delay crucial field interventions. Many have called on the government to take urgent steps to address the crisis.
“The government must immediately advertise these vacant posts. It will serve the dual purpose of filling critical staff shortages in the agriculture department and providing much-needed employment to local youth,” said a senior official familiar with the matter.
Despite being the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, the agriculture department appears to be functioning with dangerously thin staff strength—posing a serious risk to the region’s food security and rural development goals.
