The legend lives, 43 years on

Agriculture is the backbone of Jammu & Kashmir’s economy. The political economy of land reforms in J&K represents a story of empowerment and justice. During the 19th century, the state was struck by famines, killing a large percentage of the population. On all indicators of human development, the region presented a dismal picture: life expectancy was as low as 27 in 1947, and the literacy rate was 5 percent. The public health system was almost ignored.

The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, led by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, played a very significant role in political mobilisation against the monarchy. In 1944 the party handed over a document, “Naya Kashmir Manifesto,” to the then Dogra Maharaja, Hari Singh. The manifesto was a blueprint for a welfare state of Jammu & Kashmir. From 1948 to 1956, the “Naya Kashmir” document worked as the de facto constitution. It was during this period that radical land reforms, debt conciliation, and education-related reforms were implemented. A massive reformation and redistribution process was undertaken.

The first of these reforms was the Grow More Food Scheme launched in 1948, whereby nearly three lakh kanals of cultivable wasteland were allotted to the landless peasants. It was followed by the Big Landed Estates Abolition Act of 1950. Under the Act, ownership rights of some 49.5 lakh kanals of land were transferred to tillers without any compensation, and the Irrigation Department was established to ensure a sustainable water supply. The then Indian leadership supported Maharaja Hari Singh in opposing the land reforms. Even Jawaharlal Nehru had shown some reservations. But Sheikh Sahib, duly assisted by Mirza Afzal Beg, persisted against all odds.

Overall, the largest amount of land was distributed in Jammu district, while the least was in Poonch district. The majority of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Jammu and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Ladakh benefited from the Big Landed Estates Abolition Act. The Agrarian Reforms Act 1976 was promulgated to overcome deficiencies found in previous legislation like the Big Landed Estates Abolition Act 1950. In order to relieve the peasants and others from indebtedness, the Emergency Administration introduced The Distressed Debtors Relief Act, following which powerful Debt Conciliation Boards were established. Emphasis was also laid on free education. The literacy rate in the state increased from a mere 5 percent in 1950 to 32.68 percent in 1981. The health sector also received a major boost. Apart from the increase in the budget allocation for the sector, 50 percent of seats in medical colleges were reserved for women. A similar policy of reservation existed in the engineering colleges. Such measures helped in women’s development and empowerment.

The focus was also laid on the Rural Development Programme with increased access to piped water and expansion of roads, etc. Jammu & Kashmir, despite being a ‘special category state’ from 1969, received plan assistance at the rate of 70 percent as a loan and 30 percent as a grant till 1990 & not 90 percent as a grant-in-aid and 10 percent in the form of a loan as availed by states like Assam and Nagaland. The government also established an effective Public Distribution System (PDS) and thus effectively handled the drought-like situation due to crop damages by snow and heavy rains in the 1950s.

The state-led model of development focused more on social security and less on State Gross Domestic Product. Thus, life expectancy in the state increased from 27 in 1948 to 56.10 in 1988, and the literacy rate increased from 5 percent to 45 percent during the same period. The poverty rate in the state in 2011-12 was 10.3 percent, while the all-India figure was 21.9 percent.

Agriculture continues to be the most important sector of J&K’s economy. It is a key driver of employment and a source of food production. The sector sustains about 70 percent of our population. Rice, maize, wheat, pulses, etc., are major crops cultivated in the region. Besides, horticulture is a significant part of the agricultural landscape, with apples, apricots, cherries, pears, walnuts, and almonds as important products. Agriculture is part of our socio-cultural identity, like language, ethnicity, religion, etc. Our political survival owes much to the legacy of land reforms. The farmers of J&K will never forget Sheikh Sahib’s emancipatory policies. But the sector faces multifaceted challenges. Our glaciers are melting, and water availability is receding. For example, the Kolahoi Glacier near Pahalgam is receding at a fast pace, with significant impacts on the local environment and communities. For the first time in Kashmir’s history, springs like that of Achabal dried up completely.

We are facing significant challenges in irrigation. Major irrigation canals across J&K are in pathetic condition due to lack of maintenance, dredging, and cleaning, leading to shrinkage and blockage by garbage. We have had no major policy intervention for desilting & maintenance of canals. Most canals have been encroached upon by the people, thus reducing their carrying capacity. Besides, no major new canal was built in the past six decades, especially in areas with high apple production. To add to the misery of our farmers is the shortage of manpower in the Jal Shakti and Irrigation departments.

According to the Economic Survey of 2023-24, the share of agriculture in J&K’s economy is witnessing a decline. The sector contributed to about 28 percent of State Gross Value Added in the 2000s. It has now come down to 20 percent. We need to study the best agricultural practices from states like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, etc. The crop insurance scheme in J&K is still a work in progress. Also, Kashmiri apples must come under the ambit of minimum support price in order to save our farmers from the global trade disruptions.

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s land reforms was a watershed moment in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. This legacy continues to be the lifeline of the National Conference. The party’s roots are inseparably tied to the soil of Kashmir, and as long as farmers and their families reap the benefits of these reforms, the National Conference will remain relevant and enduring.

PS: The data is mostly derived from a book titled “Strategic Myth” written by Sehar Iqbal.

Dr. S. Bashir Ahmad Veeri, a legislator from Bijbehara, has been actively engaged in debates on governance, agriculture, and public welfare. He contributes occasionally on politics, governance reforms, and policy matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir.