Lockdown: Kashmir produces enough vegetables to cater to locals’ demand
SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s surplus vegetables are helping the Valley meet local demand even 44 days after the region was put under lockdown after Jammu & Kashmir’s special status was revoked, officials said.
Department of agriculture deputy director Amiruddin Andrabi told HT that the annual production of vegetables in Kashmir was way beyond what the people of the Valley consume.
“On an average we produce 900 thousand metric tons of vegetables annually, while we consume around 799 thousand metric tons. We export the surplus to other states,” Andrabi said. “We are not facing any shortage of vegetables,” he said.
Figures from the department reveal that last year Kashmir produced 1,539 thousand metric tons of vegetables.
While the requirement of vegetables in villages is fulfilled by local farmers, the supply in the city is boosted by the vegetable growers of the Dal Lake.
Strict curbs and a communication blockade were imposed in Kashmir on August 5 when the Union government abrogated the special status of the state and divided it into two union territories. Though restrictions have been reduced now, the shutdown continues in protest of the Centre’s decision as the people fear a demographic change.
Though the people suffered many hardships during the lockdown, they could easily get vegetables.
The floating vegetable market (where buyers and sellers come on a boat) deep inside Dal Lake has continued to function irrespective of the restrictions and shutdown.
“When everything was closed and no one could move on roads, the vegetable farms of Dal Lake were ready to be harvested. This is how we could supply vegetables into the interiors of the city. The rates also remained moderate,” said Nazir Ahmad, a vegetable farmer and supplier.
According to the agriculture department, Srinagar city’s vegetable production slightly falls short of its consumption.
“Srinagar produces some 111.65 thousand metric tons while the requirement is 120 thousand metric tons. The rest is supplemented from the neighbouring villages of Budgam and Pulwama,” said Suhail Ahmad, another official of the agriculture department.
The curbs, however, did cause loses to farmers and traders who ordinarily export the vegetables.
“When there was no communication and transport due to the restrictions, how could we send our produce outside? Now, when landline facilities have re-started we are attempting to export our goods,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a trader.
“People are angry over the abrogation of Article 370, which is why the shutdown is continuing. In the circumstances, we don’t expect a full-fledged revival of export and trade anytime soon,” he said. Shops, markets and other business establishments remained closed for the 44th day on Tuesday.
Public transport was unavailable while the movement of private vehicles such as cars and two-wheelers continued in uptown Srinagar. Government offices were open and students remained away from schools.