Over 11,000 Hectares of Paddy Fields Lost in 5 Years

Srinagar, Jul 28: Despite being a predominantly rice-consuming region, Kashmir is witnessing a sharp and sustained decline in paddy cultivation, raising concerns over rising dependence on external rice supplies and looming threats to the Valley’s food security.

Official data accessed through an RTI reveals that the total area under paddy cultivation in Kashmir has shrunk by more than 11,000 hectares over the past five years—dropping from 1,41,340 hectares in 2020 to just 1,30,050 hectares in 2025. The latest figures highlight an alarming shift in the region’s agricultural landscape, driven by two interlinked crises: changing weather patterns, including prolonged dry spells, and rampant conversion of fertile farmland for construction and commercial use.

District-wise data shows that while some districts have recorded marginal gains, others—particularly Budgam and Kulgam—have witnessed severe losses in cultivated paddy land. Budgam saw a drastic drop from 25,000 hectares in 2020 to just 15,545 hectares in 2025, while Kulgam shrank from 16,000 to 11,141 hectares.

By contrast, modest increases were recorded in districts such as Pulwama (16,500 to 16,808 ha), Anantnag (24,500 to 25,056 ha), Kupwara (17,000 to 17,308 ha), and Bandipora (9,990 to 10,298 ha). Srinagar, traditionally not a major paddy-growing area, also registered a slight increase from 2,630 to 3,195 hectares. However, these gains have not been enough to offset the overall decline.

The current summer’s prolonged dry spell has once again brought the crisis to the fore. “Earlier, we would irrigate our farms using streams and canals. Now, even those sources are vanishing. And alongside the water, our land too is disappearing—beneath houses, roads and shopping complexes,” said Mohammad Ismail, a farmer from Pampore.

Farmers across the Valley echo similar concerns. In many places, particularly in the suburbs of Srinagar, agricultural land has been extensively converted into residential colonies and commercial complexes, often in violation of land use norms. “In the last three decades, vast swathes of farmland have been lost in Srinagar outskirts. The concrete has eaten into the soil,” said Abdul Hamid, a resident of the city’s peripheral area.

Official records show that in 2012, the Valley had around 1,62,000 hectares under paddy cultivation.

A senior agricultural scientist, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that more than 50 percent of the remaining paddy land could disappear within the next ten years. “The trend is shifting. Many farmers are abandoning rice in favour of more profitable crops like high-density apples and stone fruits,” he said.

He admitted that the situation is worrying. “Yes, a large percentage of farmland has been lost. I can’t predict how much more will be converted, but the current rate is concerning,” he said.

He attributed the crisis to unchecked construction activity and a growing shift towards horticulture, which offers higher returns.

As Kashmir grapples with these changes, the decline in paddy cultivation carries far-reaching implications—not just for food self-sufficiency, but for the Valley’s ecological balance, cultural identity, and the livelihoods of thousands of rural families. Without urgent policy interventions and strong enforcement mechanisms, experts fear that Kashmir’s rice bowl may soon turn empty.