By Anuj Kumar Verma
Kashmir’s orchards and fields have long produced beautiful fruit and crops, but the green revolution induced our policy makers, our scientists and the farming community to rely heavily on hazardous chemical pesticides and fertilizers that many countries have partially restricted or banned. PAN Europe’s “List of Lists” identifies more than 110
pesticide active ingredients that face bans or severe restrictions in the EU. But, we continued using these hazardous agrochemicals, that too excessively. Resulting in serious effects on health of farmers and their families, contaminated air, soil, ground water, contaminated wells and water bodies as most of the sprayed agrochemicals either remain in air, leach down into the soil and then into the ground water or with run off water to the water bodies. Various reports, as mentioned in my earlier article, have substantiated the claims of high levels of poisonous chemicals having been found in our rivers. Food produced is also not safe as it contains residues of chemicals.
For food security, we sacrificed everything right from the health of farmers to contaminated air, soil, water and food.
Published reports and a study cited by leading newspapers have raised credible concerns about pesticide use in Jammu and Kashmir, including health risks for vegetable cultivators in Jammu and apple growers in Kashmir. The study reported high pesticide use in the Kashmir Valley and pointed to weaknesses in pest management practices.A PubMed Central paper on brain cancer in orchard
areas examined 432 patients and found 90.04% were orchard workers, residents, or children playing in orchards with long-term exposure to agrochemicals. Other regional reviews and studies report elevated rates of cancer, chronic kidney disease, and neurological disorders among pesticide-exposed farming communities, especially during the last two decades. These findings do not single out one cause in every case, but they point to a clear and urgent pattern that deserves action. Similar stories, based upon verrified facts, pointing out the serious effects of hazardous agrochemicals on farmers, their families, environment and food keep making rounds in different newspapers and magazines, from time to time.
Recognising this challenge, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, under the dynamic leadership of Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, developed the Holistic Agriculture
Development Programme (HADP). This ambitious Rs 5,013 crore programme, comprising 29 projects in agriculture and allied sectors, was formulated by the Apex Committee constituted by the Lieutenant Governor and the roadmap was approved by the UT Administrative Council headed by the Lieutenant Governor, J&K. HADP was dedicated to the public by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on 7 March 2024 in Srinagar. Three HADP projects are especially important for reducing chemical dependence and supporting safer farming practices.
Project 18, “Minimizing Pesticide Use in Agriculture (Pilot)” (?27.00 crore), led by SKUAST Kashmir and
SKUAST Jammu, promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM), natural farming practices, safer spraying
technologies, and demonstration clusters. Project 21, “Promotion of High-Density Plantation and Rejuvenation of Orchards” (?281.38 crore), introduces high-density and climate-resilient planting systems that reduces the long-term need for chemical inputs while raising productivity. Project 16, “Alternate Agriculture System for Sustainability” (?84.00 crore), supports integrated farming, crop diversification,
and systems that lower pest pressure through ecological balance. Together these projects form a practical, mutually reinforcing pathway away from hazardous agrochemicals.
The successful implementation of these three projects shall prove to be a game changer, a transformation in agriculture fields & orchards of Jammu and Kashmir.
But, a successful transition from over dependence upon hazardous agrochemicals to sustainable agriculture, also, requires more than projects; It requires clear leadership from the present government led by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, a strong determination to make our agriculture fields, orchards and food free from poison, careful planning, and sustained incentives. The most hazardous chemicals should be identified and phased out in
stages, with realistic timelines and advance notice so farmers can prepare. Sudden bans without support would risk harming livelihoods; a planned, stepwise approach protects farmers and public health alike.
Substantial subsidies and targeted incentives are essential. These should help cover training costs, transition costs, new equipment, safe spraying alternatives, bio-inputs, certification fees, and short-term income support while fields shift methods. A transition subsidy covering a significant share (for example, 50–70%) of initial costs, combined with guaranteed procurement at premium prices for residue free produce, would make the economic case for change immediate and practical. The
Policymakers should adopt a phased phase-out plan, fund transition subsidies, create procurement guarantees
and premium price signals for residue-free produce, and ensure certification systems are affordable and
accessible to smallholders. Enforce compliance where needed while using incentives to encourage voluntary adoption.
Agricultural universities (SKUAST Kashmir and SKUAST Jammu) should scale up field tested IPM solutions,
bio-pesticide research, and low-cost natural-farming packages. To strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s transition to sustainable agriculture, the UT administration may invite Padma Shri Subhash Palekar, the pioneer of Zero Budget Natural Farming, along with other eminent experts to conduct training-of-trainers programmes for agriculture extension officers and lead farmers. The guest list could include Acharya Devvrat, who championed natural farming in Himachal Pradesh and currently serves as Governor of Gujarat, Dr. G. V. Ramanjaneyulu of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture in Hyderabad, an authority on Integrated Pest Management, Dr. P. K. Singh, Director of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, and Vijay Sardana, an agri-policy expert on integrated farming. This blend of grassroots practitioners and scientists would ensure that J&K’s trainers receive practical training on natural inputs such as jeevamrit and beejamrit, biological pest management, and the integration of crops, livestock, and horticulture, enabling them to cascade these climate-smart, cost-saving practices across the Union Territory. Produce farmer-friendly guides in local
languages and measure outcomes in yield, cost, and residue reduction. KVKs and extension services may run demonstration plots, set up peer-learning groups, provide hands-on training, and track adoption. Visible national as well as local success stories will accelerate regional change.
Farmers and orchard owners should be trained and assisted by the agriculture department field staff to adopt IPM, integrated farming systems, natural or organic practices. High density, climate resilient rejuvenated orchards and diversified cropping can improve earnings
while reducing chemical dependence.
When this transition succeeds, food will be safer, workers will be healthier, soil and water will recover and farmers will be able to earn better prices for naturally or organically grown, residue free produce.
Kashmir’s agriculture carries a powerful reputation for clean, fragrant apples, saffron, walnuts, spices and pure forest honey. That brand can fetch higher returns when backed by authentic certification and reliable market access. This is not a single actor’s job. Farmers, policymakers, scientists, researchers, field officers, and workers
must work together with a shared plan, cohesive force, determination, clear incentive policy, and a timeline. With HADP’s funding and institutional foundations in place, a steady, well-managed push can free Jammu & Kashmir’s lands, water, air and food from poisonous residues, protect the health of farmers and their children, and open a brighter future where naturally and organically grown produce earns the value it deserves.
———————————
The author is Environment and policy writer; Generally writes on Jammu & Kashmir development, climate change, sustainable growth, safe food and safe agricultural practices. Presently, he is convenor of We The Humans Forum for Nature and Mankind, Jammu, a Public Charitable Trust.
