Does J&K need to worry about food security?

DHAAR MEHAK/BASHARAT NABI DAR

The region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is well known for a number of reasons at the global level. Tourism for example is one of the major strengths of the region, but when it comes to food security, the situation is rather complex and varied. The region, a union territory of India, grapples with a range of factors that impact the availability and accessibility of food. J&K's diverse geography, encompassing the mighty Himalayas, lush valleys, and fertile plains, plays a significant role in determining the outcomes pertaining to the food security of the region. Mountainous terrain while having an aesthetic value, makes the transportation and distribution of food a challenging task.

Of all the parameters of developmental issues, the one that till date never concerned the region of Jammu and Kashmir in a serious manner has been the issue of food security. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO) defines food security as, “Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” The two most important concerns in this direction are (a) Economic access to this food and (b) meeting the food preferences of the local population as per their cultural habits.

In the context of food security in Jammu and Kashmir, it's important to note and acknowledge the positive impact of two vital schemes; the Jammu and Kashmir Food Entitlement Scheme (JKFES) and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY). These programs were instrumental in ensuring that the local population had access to a consistent supply of free rice ration, providing 10 to 15 kilograms per eligible household. This way the state had been playing its vital welfarist role in cushioning the local populace against hunger and starvation.
A steady yet simultaneous development that has been taking place in the region of Jammu and Kashmir has been a constant decline in the Net Sown Rice area. The agricultural land is being put to non-agricultural and horticultural uses. In the past 10 years, the region of Jammu and Kashmir has lost six lakh Kanals of paddy land. As of now in the year 2023, only 1,29,000 hectares of land across the region is dedicated to part cultivation. At the same time, Jammu and Kashmir has reflected a constantly rising trend in Apple production. During the previous financial year (2021-22) Jammu and Kashmir produced 1719415.69 metric tons of Apple.

The region of Jammu and Kashmir accounts for 75% of apple production in India. As has been witnessed over the period of time, the returns from Apple production have been very high as compared to the returns from paddy cultivation in the region. Thinking from the perspective of an average farmer it is highly beneficial for him and his household to substitute paddy cultivation with Apple cultivation. This, not only boosts his economy in terms of affording rice from the open market but at the same time increases the overall purchasing power parity of his household. The traditional Apple trees are being replaced by high-density Apple varieties and the farmers have been realizing all time high returns from the sale of the same, incentivizing the local populace more and more to substitute paddy cultivation with apple orchards.

Based on all these facts and realizations the question of food security seems to be posed in the near future of Jammu and Kashmir. The region of Jammu and Kashmir to date has been the fortunate Indian state fairing mostly well from the country-level average. However, assuming the fact that the government is withdrawing the food security schemes from the region of Jammu and Kashmir and the people are converting their paddy lands into either Apple orchards or residential and commercial establishments, the crisis of food security seems to be looming high on the region.
It’s highly advisable that the policymakers be informed of this potential danger that is about to hit the region of Jammu and Kashmir and eventually come up with timely policies to prevent the food crisis from happening in the otherwise fortunate reaching of Jammu and Kashmir.

Weather-related challenges cast a long shadow over the region. Natural disasters like floods and landslides can disrupt food production and supply chains, exacerbating food security concerns. J&K's food supply is dependent on imports of various items, a reliance that intensifies during winter months when heavy snowfall can sever transportation routes. Addressing this dependency is pivotal to ensuring continuous access to essential food items. In tackling the food security challenge, it's essential to employ a comprehensive approach that takes into account the region's unique characteristics. This approach should involve government initiatives, community engagement, and efforts to enhance agricultural productivity in rice and wheat producing belts of the UT while building resilience to climate-related challenges. Monitoring and addressing these factors are integral to ensuring that the people of Jammu and Kashmir can look forward to a more food-secure future.

(Dr. Dhaar Mehak is an Economist and Dr. Basharat Nabi Dar is a Food Technologist. Both are affiliated with the Islamic University of Science and Technology.