BREAKING NEWS
Jammu and Kashmir has been declared as Agri-Export zone for Apples and Walnut. The Horticulture sector plays an important role in the livelihood of almost 33 lac population comprising of 7 lac families and ironically more than 90% of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir are marginal and posses agriculture landholding of 0.45 hectare on an average .Priorities are dynamic particularly when in public interest. Change in quorum also changes the laws. The process of globalization has changed the entire world in to a small village. The technology changed from gigantic computers to nano chips, joint family to nuclear family, why should we follow obsolete laws in Agriculture and Horticulture sector? The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir had some specific and strict laws for preservation of Forests and Economy. The Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of specific trees Act 1969 is to mention one among them. This law was in the interest of public for the growth preservation and protection of some specified trees because certain species of trees growing in the state were the main source of raw material for the specified industry of Kashmir Art, or otherwise of vital importance for the economy, prosperity and welfare of a large section of citizens of state. Walnut tree was on top priority of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. In India walnut grows in north western Himalayan belt, expanding up to Darjeeling and Sikkim but as a plantation crop in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Arunachal Pradesh. The history of walnut is lost in antiquity. Walnut is named by different names throughout the world. The most commonly used name is akhrot in hindi, Doon in Kashmiri and Gardgani in Unani. The modern name however comes from the German Walnuss which means foreign nut.
Purpose of the law
Walnut tree is scientifically known as Juglans regia(DOON), was considered as back bone of Horticulture sector contributing much more than apple during latter half of the twentieth century in Jammu and Kashmir. To protect walnut economy erstwhile State Government framed a law by the name of Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of specific Trees Act 1969 which includes walnut. According to this Act, a walnut tree can neither be felled nor pruned, even if it stands on private land without the permission of Revenue Department. Walnut timber has high demand in the State Handicraft Industry. Now a day’s Kashmir accounts for over 90% of Indian walnut Production.
Major Uses of Walnut
Almost all the parts of the plant are utilized in one or the other way but the fruit and timber have been put to maximum use. Green husk, leaves and Bark are widely used as folk medicine, for treatment of cancer and dermatitis. Kernel of walnut is the edible portion, constitutes about half of the fruit weight and contains proteins, fats and minerals, also a good source of B group Vitamins. Leaves are beneficial in skin disorders, irritation of eyes, stimulate poor appetite and also in healing of wounds. Outer nut rind is beneficial in chronic diarrhoea. Walnut shell flour is extensively used as an ingredient in plastic fibres, industrial tile and an insecticide spreader. Besides this walnut wood after sculpturing by our Handicraft Artists posses a unique look, grain, and durability. The doors and windows of our historical monuments and famous shrines are made of walnut wood. Traditionally bark of root was rubbed on teeth and gums for whitening of teeth.
Why to shift from traditional for walnut cultivation
Farmers in Jammu and Kashmir have the lowest income in comparison to their counterparts in the rest of the country. Shrinkage in the size of the land holdings due to population pressure, today people do not grow walnut trees because of its large canopy cover almost 400 square meters and particularly of its allelopathic nature, it secretes a substance named as juglone in its surroundings which inhabits growth of its own seedlings and other plants, thus making almost 10 marlas of land barren under its shade. The other reasons being if an owner has to utilize the land under walnut cultivation for other purposes , construction of house, construction of shops etc ,he/she has to seek permission from Revenue authorities and you can clearly gauze the situation of mental agony and hefty amount of bribe to be paid for that purpose. The procedure is similar for cutting a dry, diseased and damaged walnut tree. Plucking of walnuts from such gigantic Trees is also an uphill task, and the Labourers are demanding huge money which is their right as they climb such gigantic trees at the cost of their lives. This process consumes large number of lives yearly and makes others disabled for rest of their life.
Shifting towards High density plantation cropping
Traditional plantation cropping like Walnut, Almond, Apricot, Plum, Peach, Pear and Cherries are labour intensive and less remunerative than their new hybrid cultivars and high density verities. Increasing cost of Pesticides and Fertilizers has broken the back of a common cultivator. According to the official website of Horticulture Development Department the area under walnut cultivation for the year 2018-2019 in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory is a total of 84777 hectares comprising 38653 and 46124 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir Divisions respectively. The area under cultivation and yield per hectare is at a decreasing trend.
Lackadaisical approach of previous regimes
Experts attribute the failure of state governments over the period of time to draft agriculture policy as the one of the reason for dwindling income of farmers. In absence of agriculture policy, Jammu and Kashmir is fast losing its agriculture land for non-agriculture purposes. The compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of real incomes between 2002-03 (NSSO survey) and 2015-16 (NABARD survey) of agri-households in Jammu and Kashmir is minus 2.3 which is not only lowest in the country but it is the only state with minus CAGR, according the report. Overall CAGR is 3.7 percent at the all India level, with a high of 8.4 percent for Odisha. Experts attribute the failure of state Governments over the period of time to draft agriculture policy as the one of the reason for dwindling income of farmers. Interestingly, the largest employer and the primary driver of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy – agriculture – continues to be in decline.
Final word
There is great demand of Kashmir walnut in domestic and international market because of is organic nature but the production is decreasing yearly. Government should lift the 52 year old ban on cutting of centauries old walnut trees by making the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 null and void and pave the way for new hybrid varieties and dwarf cultivars like Hamdan,Sulaiman,CITH-Walnut-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 developed by SKUAST-K. This sector has the potential of fetching 500 crore foreign exchange earnings, provided technological gap is minimized and is further refined to international standards. Well defined Agricultural policy, farm mechanization, use of improved varieties, standard pesticides and fertilizers on subsidized rates will prove beneficial for the farmers and prosperity of our Union Territory.
Email:----lec.javaid786@gmail.com
Jammu and Kashmir has been declared as Agri-Export zone for Apples and Walnut. The Horticulture sector plays an important role in the livelihood of almost 33 lac population comprising of 7 lac families and ironically more than 90% of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir are marginal and posses agriculture landholding of 0.45 hectare on an average .Priorities are dynamic particularly when in public interest. Change in quorum also changes the laws. The process of globalization has changed the entire world in to a small village. The technology changed from gigantic computers to nano chips, joint family to nuclear family, why should we follow obsolete laws in Agriculture and Horticulture sector? The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir had some specific and strict laws for preservation of Forests and Economy. The Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of specific trees Act 1969 is to mention one among them. This law was in the interest of public for the growth preservation and protection of some specified trees because certain species of trees growing in the state were the main source of raw material for the specified industry of Kashmir Art, or otherwise of vital importance for the economy, prosperity and welfare of a large section of citizens of state. Walnut tree was on top priority of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. In India walnut grows in north western Himalayan belt, expanding up to Darjeeling and Sikkim but as a plantation crop in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Arunachal Pradesh. The history of walnut is lost in antiquity. Walnut is named by different names throughout the world. The most commonly used name is akhrot in hindi, Doon in Kashmiri and Gardgani in Unani. The modern name however comes from the German Walnuss which means foreign nut.
Purpose of the law
Walnut tree is scientifically known as Juglans regia(DOON), was considered as back bone of Horticulture sector contributing much more than apple during latter half of the twentieth century in Jammu and Kashmir. To protect walnut economy erstwhile State Government framed a law by the name of Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of specific Trees Act 1969 which includes walnut. According to this Act, a walnut tree can neither be felled nor pruned, even if it stands on private land without the permission of Revenue Department. Walnut timber has high demand in the State Handicraft Industry. Now a day’s Kashmir accounts for over 90% of Indian walnut Production.
Major Uses of Walnut
Almost all the parts of the plant are utilized in one or the other way but the fruit and timber have been put to maximum use. Green husk, leaves and Bark are widely used as folk medicine, for treatment of cancer and dermatitis. Kernel of walnut is the edible portion, constitutes about half of the fruit weight and contains proteins, fats and minerals, also a good source of B group Vitamins. Leaves are beneficial in skin disorders, irritation of eyes, stimulate poor appetite and also in healing of wounds. Outer nut rind is beneficial in chronic diarrhoea. Walnut shell flour is extensively used as an ingredient in plastic fibres, industrial tile and an insecticide spreader. Besides this walnut wood after sculpturing by our Handicraft Artists posses a unique look, grain, and durability. The doors and windows of our historical monuments and famous shrines are made of walnut wood. Traditionally bark of root was rubbed on teeth and gums for whitening of teeth.
Why to shift from traditional for walnut cultivation
Farmers in Jammu and Kashmir have the lowest income in comparison to their counterparts in the rest of the country. Shrinkage in the size of the land holdings due to population pressure, today people do not grow walnut trees because of its large canopy cover almost 400 square meters and particularly of its allelopathic nature, it secretes a substance named as juglone in its surroundings which inhabits growth of its own seedlings and other plants, thus making almost 10 marlas of land barren under its shade. The other reasons being if an owner has to utilize the land under walnut cultivation for other purposes , construction of house, construction of shops etc ,he/she has to seek permission from Revenue authorities and you can clearly gauze the situation of mental agony and hefty amount of bribe to be paid for that purpose. The procedure is similar for cutting a dry, diseased and damaged walnut tree. Plucking of walnuts from such gigantic Trees is also an uphill task, and the Labourers are demanding huge money which is their right as they climb such gigantic trees at the cost of their lives. This process consumes large number of lives yearly and makes others disabled for rest of their life.
Shifting towards High density plantation cropping
Traditional plantation cropping like Walnut, Almond, Apricot, Plum, Peach, Pear and Cherries are labour intensive and less remunerative than their new hybrid cultivars and high density verities. Increasing cost of Pesticides and Fertilizers has broken the back of a common cultivator. According to the official website of Horticulture Development Department the area under walnut cultivation for the year 2018-2019 in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory is a total of 84777 hectares comprising 38653 and 46124 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir Divisions respectively. The area under cultivation and yield per hectare is at a decreasing trend.
Lackadaisical approach of previous regimes
Experts attribute the failure of state governments over the period of time to draft agriculture policy as the one of the reason for dwindling income of farmers. In absence of agriculture policy, Jammu and Kashmir is fast losing its agriculture land for non-agriculture purposes. The compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of real incomes between 2002-03 (NSSO survey) and 2015-16 (NABARD survey) of agri-households in Jammu and Kashmir is minus 2.3 which is not only lowest in the country but it is the only state with minus CAGR, according the report. Overall CAGR is 3.7 percent at the all India level, with a high of 8.4 percent for Odisha. Experts attribute the failure of state Governments over the period of time to draft agriculture policy as the one of the reason for dwindling income of farmers. Interestingly, the largest employer and the primary driver of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy – agriculture – continues to be in decline.
Final word
There is great demand of Kashmir walnut in domestic and international market because of is organic nature but the production is decreasing yearly. Government should lift the 52 year old ban on cutting of centauries old walnut trees by making the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 null and void and pave the way for new hybrid varieties and dwarf cultivars like Hamdan,Sulaiman,CITH-Walnut-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 developed by SKUAST-K. This sector has the potential of fetching 500 crore foreign exchange earnings, provided technological gap is minimized and is further refined to international standards. Well defined Agricultural policy, farm mechanization, use of improved varieties, standard pesticides and fertilizers on subsidized rates will prove beneficial for the farmers and prosperity of our Union Territory.
Email:----lec.javaid786@gmail.com
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