Kashmir farmers replace rice paddies with apple orchards, raising food-security worries
Farmers across Kashmir are converting rice fields into high-density apple orchards, boosting incomes but increasing reliance on imported rice.
In Kashmir’s traditional rice-growing belts, farmers are increasingly planting high-density apple orchards as paddy becomes less profitable, leading to income gains of up to five lakh rupees per year for some households. Remote-sensing analyses reveal a 28% drop in agricultural land between 1992 and 2015, alongside an 88% rise in plantation area. Government data confirm that paddy acreage fell to around 259 000 hectares in 2024-25, while apple cultivation expanded to about 173 000 hectares.
Experts warn that the loss of water-logged paddies reduces groundwater recharge and flood buffering, and that reliance on external rice supplies could expose the region to market and climate shocks. Researchers suggest protecting strategic paddy zones, diversifying horticulture, and adopting water-efficient practices to balance livelihoods with food security.
Why it matters
The move threatens Kashmir’s ability to feed itself, tying staple supplies to distant markets and climate risks.
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