Editorial | Kashmiri Farmers Struggle With Water Shortage

Farmers across much of Kashmir are struggling with a severe shortage of water. Their crops are parched. Crops are withering away. People are anxious. It is not a small issue. It is a major crisis. It impacts the food on our plates and the pounds in our farmers’ pockets.

Kashmir is famous for its green ground. Agriculture is the primary activity for many individuals here. From rice to vegetables, our land gives us everything. But without water, nothing can grow. These days, due to less rain and broken irrigation systems, the farmers are struggling. The water that should flow into their fields is missing. Pumps that lift water are either not working or not even there. Many canals are dry. The hot weather is making things worse.

In most regions over 10,000 kanals of land are withering away. People are fearful that crops this year will not grow. And when crops do not grow, the farmers lose all—money, food, and hope.

The government has to take this seriously. This is not the time for assurances. It is the time for swift action. The officials have to go there. They should not wait for the reports. They have to see the parched fields and talk to the farmers who are suffering.

We need to realize that water is life. Without water, there can be no agriculture. And when agriculture fails, all suffer. Food prices rise. Urban and rural populations also suffer. But farmers suffer the most. It is their lifework.

The irrigation department must wake up. Several farmers have complained that they have been requesting assistance for weeks. Some of them even approached the media with photographs and videos. Still, many of the pumps are not yet installed. Pipes do not exist. No engineer comes to the site. The delay is injuring poor farmers who rely on every crop.

In regions where drought-like conditions prevail, the government must transport water by tankers or mobile pumps until a permanent arrangement is established. Moreover, canals that are silted up or clogged with trash need to be cleaned immediately. Ground personnel and engineers must work daily until water is provided to the fields.

Alongside this, there is also a need for long-term planning. We have to construct better irrigation canals. We have to repair old ones. We have to popularize rainwater harvesting in the villages as well. If we harvest water during rains, we can utilize it later in dry spells.

Solar-powered pumps are another crucial step. These pumps are electricity-free and can pump water from streams or rivers into the fields. The government must provide these to the farmers at subsidized rates or low prices. This will make them independent of officials to a greater extent.

Dry regions have already been visited by some MLAs and leaders. They have assured support. This is satisfactory, but they must convert their promises into action. Only then will farmers have faith again.

Media has taken a powerful role. News by local reporters and national media has revealed how huge the crisis is. These news need to become a manual for the administration to move quickly. We thank the media persons who voice-raised farmers.

This is a test for the government. A test of compassion. A test of response. If Kashmir farmers lose this season, it will be a system failure big time. Thousands of households will sink into poverty. It should not happen.

Our farmers are resilient. They toil from dawn till dusk. They do not rest even in bad weather. But they require assistance. Not platitudes. Actual, speedy assistance.

We appeal to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the concerned departments, and all district administrations to handle this as an emergency. They need to repair pumps, sweep canals, and ensure that water reaches each dry field. No more waiting.

We also appeal to people to conserve water. A single drop matters. Let us not wastewater at our residences when our farmers are pleading for mere buckets.

Ultimately, we say again: Save water, save farmers. If our farmers are content, then our land is content. And when the land smiles, so do the people.

Let us support our farmers. Not merely with words—but with action.