SHOPIAN: Move towards agricultural self-sufficiency and diversification, a farmer from South Kashmir’s Shopian district, known across India for its premium apples, has taken a bold step away from traditional apple cultivation. Farooq Ahmed Waggay, a resident of ChaudharyGund in Shopian, has resumed paddy (rice) cultivation on his land after a hiatus of more than 30 years.
Shopian’s economy is overwhelmingly dependent on apple farming, with nearly 90 percent of the population involved in the trade. However, unpredictable weather conditions, including frequent hailstorms, have left many apple growers facing repeated losses. This year was no exception, with several orchards in the region severely damaged by hail.
Reacting to these challenges, Wagga decided to revive an age-old farming tradition that once flourished in Shopian — paddy cultivation. He has sown rice on more than 8 kanals of land, a practice he had last followed in 1990 before switching entirely to apple orchards.
“Apple farming is no longer reliable due to the changing climate,” Waggay said. “It’s time we consider other crops that can sustain our livelihood. Paddy, maize, kidney beans, potatoes — all of these can help us diversify our income.”
Once a major rice-growing area, Shopian’s farmlands gradually transitioned to apple orchards over the past three to four decades. This shift intensified with the recent trend of converting traditional orchards into high-density plantations aimed at maximizing apple yields.
Despite this widespread shift, Waggay’s return to paddy farming is seen by many as a pioneering effort that could inspire others in the region. His appeal to fellow farmers to not rely solely on apples comes at a time when climate change and market uncertainties have made monoculture farming increasingly risky.
“Diversification is the key to resilience,” Waggay emphasized. “We must go back to our roots and adopt a mixed farming model for a more secure future.”
As Kashmir continues to battle the twin challenges of environmental instability and economic dependency on a single crop, initiatives like Waggay’s may mark the beginning of a new chapter in the Valley’s agricultural story — one that blends tradition with resilience.
