Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jun 12: Despite intense heat and water shortages in some areas, Kashmir’s annual paddy transplantation season, Thaejkaad, is underway in full swing as farmers rush to complete the process before the June 21 deadline.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), farmers across the Valley are working collectively to ensure timely transplantation, preserving a centuries-old agrarian tradition while confronting challenges posed by rising temperatures and shrinking water resources.
Thaejkaad, a key phase in Kashmir’s agricultural calendar, begins after paddy saplings grown in nurseries are transplanted into prepared fields.
While the practice remains central to the Valley’s farming heritage, experts warn that declining paddy acreage, water scarcity and land-use changes have increased Kashmir’s dependence on rice imports from outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Across the Valley, vast stretches of green paddy nurseries have transformed into busy agricultural landscapes.
Fields are alive with activity as farmers, labourers, and family members wade through muddy waters, carefully transplanting young paddy saplings in neat rows.
This year too, alongside local farmers, a large number of non-local labourers have joined the transplantation drive.
While agriculture in many parts of Kashmir increasingly depends on migrant workers, the current season has witnessed remarkable community participation.
Men, women, and even children from farming households are actively contributing to the labour-intensive process, working collectively to ensure timely completion of transplantation.
Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, a veteran farmer from Litter in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, said that weather remained dry this year and paddy plantation is going as per schedule though there are some areas where people are suffering due to water shortages.
“Although temperatures have been unusually high, farmers are leaving no stone unturned to finish the work before June 21. Completing transplantation within this period is considered essential for obtaining a good harvest,” he said.
Bhat said that in areas where irrigation facilities remain functional, many cultivators have hired experienced non-local labourers to accelerate the transplantation process.
“Every piece of cultivable land is valuable. We are trying to utilise every available patch before moisture levels decline further. Timely transplantation is critical for the success of the crop,” he said.
Throughout south, central, and north Kashmir, the sight of people standing knee-deep in waterlogged fields has become common.
The rhythmic movement of workers planting saplings against the backdrop of Kashmir’s picturesque countryside presents a timeless image of the Valley’s agrarian life.
For farmers, however, Thaejkaad represents much more than an agricultural task.
Many describe it as a cherished cultural tradition passed down through generations.
“Agriculture is closely linked with our identity and heritage. Thaejkaad is not merely about planting rice, it is a season associated with blessings, prosperity, and a connection to our ancestors. It carries immense cultural and emotional significance for farming families,” said Ghulam Nabi Bhat, a farmer from central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Farmers explained that paddy cultivation follows a carefully structured process. Initially, seeds are sown in dedicated nurseries known locally as Thaejwaan.
After around 40 days, the saplings reach an appropriate height and are ready for transplantation.
During this period, the main fields are ploughed, levelled, and enriched with organic manure.
Once preparations are complete, the painstaking task of transplanting each sapling into the main field begins.
However, this year’s transplantation season has been overshadowed by growing concerns over water scarcity in certain areas.
Reduced water levels in streams, canals, and rivers have adversely affected irrigation systems, leaving several schemes either partially functional or completely defunct.
Residents of Shaar village in the Khrew area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district said they were unable to cultivate paddy due to the non-availability of irrigation water.
As an alternative, many farmers have shifted to crops such as maize, moong, and other pulses that require comparatively less water.
Agriculture experts and officials from the Department of Agriculture have also been encouraging farmers in water-stressed regions to diversify towards less water-intensive crops, including pulses and vegetables, to minimise losses and make better use of available resources.
Officials said that although adequate irrigation water remains available in most parts of Kashmir, a few pockets continue to face difficulties.
They assured that efforts are underway to address these issues and improve water supply wherever possible.
An official of the Agricultural Department, who wished not to be named, while expressing concern over the steady decline in paddy cultivation across the Valley emphasised the need to safeguard agricultural land from conversion into orchards, residential colonies, and commercial structures.
“Kashmir was once largely self-sufficient in rice production. However, shrinking paddy acreage due to land-use changes has significantly affected local production,” the official said.
He said that the Valley now relies heavily on rice imports from other states to meet domestic demand.
“Currently, more than 65 percent of the rice consumed in Kashmir is sourced from outside J&K. Unfortunately, this dependence has been increasing with each passing year,” he said.
He said that the ongoing Thaejkaad season stands as a powerful reminder of Kashmir’s enduring agricultural traditions, resilience in the face of adversity, and the urgent need to protect both its water resources and fertile paddy lands for future generations—(KNO)
