Kishtwar: Padder Block, located 65 km away from the District Headquarter Kishtwar mainly depends on agriculture as its main economic source. The challenging terrain, predominantly hilly and mountainous, spans a vast geographical area of 29147 Ha in the block, with 2381.34 Ha under cultivation. The primary crops in the region include maize, paddy, fodder (Jowar), pulses (Mash/Moong/Rajmash), vegetables, and lesser millets like Fox Tail Millets, Finger Millet, Buckwheat, and Seul during both Kharif and Rabi seasons.
Traditionally, the area adhered to conventional farming methods, but a significant shift has occurred with the intervention of the Agriculture Department, guided by technical recommendations.
In high-altitude villages like Kabban and Ghandari, where mono-cropping was common due to geographical constraints, the introduction of off-season organic pea cultivation has become a game-changer. The success lies in the off-season harvest, with Padder peas being harvested in July-August, contrasting with the Rabi crop peas in the rest of the Jammu region, harvested in March- April.
Initially introduced on 30 Ha in Kabban village, the cultivation of off-season organic peas rapidly expanded. The entire Kabban village, parts of Ghandari, and adjoining areas of Padder block are now actively involved in this initiative. Currently, an expansive 120 Ha is under cultivation, engaging 270 farming families and yielding approximately 1200 MTs of produce. The farmers are reaping the benefits of this cultivation, contributing to approximate revenue of Rs.3.50 crore in the year 2023-2024.
The Agriculture Department played a pivotal role in this agricultural revolution, supplying significant quantities of Pea (Arkal) seed during 2023-2024 and subsequently increasing the supply in the following year.
TeshiSomten, a Pea Farmer from Kabban, Paddar, shared insights into their transformative journey, offering valuable perspectives into their strategies, triumphs, and challenges faced along the way.
He highlighted, “15-20 years ago, our elders brought pea seeds from LaholSpiti Valley of Himachal and introduced the same in Kabban area. Initially, we cultivated a chunk of 02-03 fields, which showed a good response. Day by day, it proved to be a beneficial and profitable source of income for the farmers in the area.”
“Agriculture Department support with hybrid pea seeds on subsided rate was a turning point for us. Their persistent efforts and aid enabled us to cultivate peas successfully in the off-season, creating an economic boon for Kabban.”
“Pea cultivation has brought prosperity to our fields, rejuvenated our community, and now the whole village of Kabban is growing pure and organic peas,” he added.
This success story not only showcases the resilience and adaptability of farmers in Kishtwar but also highlights the potential for sustainable and profitable agriculture in challenging landscapes. The Organic Pea Revolution in Kishtwar stands as a testament to the synergy between traditional knowledge, modern interventions, and the commitment of farmers to carve a sustainable and lucrative path in agriculture.
Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Kishtwar, AmjadHusaain Malik informed plans to introduce pea cultivation in Sub-Division Paddar and Marwah -Warwan region, which is a strategic move to boost farmers’ income and transform the agricultural landscape.
