Rapid Fire
Crop Contingency Plan for Kashmir
- 05 Mar 2025
- 2 min read
The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) has devised a Crop Contingency Plan to tackle the drought-like conditions expected in Kashmir due to an 80% rainfall deficit in winter 2024.
- Key Components of Crop Contingency Plan:
- Alternative Crop Promotion: Instead of water-intensive rice, SKUAST promotes drought-resistant maize hybrids (SMC-8, SMH-5) and pulses, which require less water.
- Recommends heat-tolerant crops like cowpea, which can withstand dry conditions.
- Water Conservation Strategies:
- Mulching: Covering topsoil with organic materials to retain moisture and improve soil health.
- Micro-Irrigation: Encourages drip irrigation and mist sprayers for optimal water use.
- Recommends micro-sprinkler systems and organic soil amendments to sustain vegetable farming.
- Anti-Transpirant Agents: Applying chemicals to reduce water loss from plants (Transpiration).
- Resilient Farming Practices: Recommends the use of growth regulator sprays to prevent early blooming and anti-transpirants in fruit crops to conserve moisture.
- Pest Control: Rising temperatures have made pests like aphids and leaf miner blotch more invasive. SKUAST is issuing advisories on chemical pest control measures.
- Alternative Crop Promotion: Instead of water-intensive rice, SKUAST promotes drought-resistant maize hybrids (SMC-8, SMH-5) and pulses, which require less water.
| Read more: Climate Resilient Agriculture |
