In Frames: Kashmiris harvest rice crop amid dwindling paddy land

As Autumn or Harud in Kashmiri approaches, paddy farmers in Kashmir start harvesting rice crop as the fields when seedlings were planted were green have turned to golden brown mines of rice. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

While many field owners employ migrant labourers to finish the job, many others depend on themselves and their families to harvest the produce. Kashmiris are avid rice eaters. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

The picturesque and lush green paddy fields that have long defined the landscape of Kashmir are rapidly vanishing, making way for concrete constructions and urbanisation. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

In just over a decade, an alarming 6.5 lakh kanal (approximately 33,309 hectares) of paddy fields have been converted, according to official data accessed by Greater Kashmir. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

In 2012, Kashmir boasted approximately 1,62,309 hectares of land dedicated to paddy cultivation. Fast forward to 2023, and this area has shrunk dramatically by 33,309 hectares (6.5 lakh kanal), leaving a mere 1,29,000 hectares currently allocated for paddy cultivation. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

This unsettling trend raises concerns about the sustainability of agriculture in the region, as the average landholding size declines from 0.62 hectares per person to 0.59 hectares between 2011 and 2016, official data says. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

The rising demand for local rice in Kashmir, spurred by reduced government allocations through the public distribution system, has led to an increase in rice prices. With homegrown rice costing nearly Rs 4000/ KG. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

“Paddy land has been overtaken by housing and commercial constructions. The land is being swallowed up due to road construction and the erection of massive structures,” a farmer told Greater Kashmir. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK