Mir Iqbal Hussain
Once, during a conversation with a wise cleric, I heard something that stayed with me. He spoke about the difference between things that support life and those that destroy it. He observed that when organic matter accumulates, microorganisms thrive. But when birds or insects consume certain agricultural chemicals, they perish. His point was simple, yet it set me thinking about how we treat the land that feeds us.
For generations, farming in Kashmir remained closely connected with nature. Farmers used farmyard manure, fallen leaves, and decomposed plant material to enrich their fields. Organic matter was returned to the soil, ensuring the land could provide for successive generations. While farming had its difficulties, people depended on locally available resources and understood the value of maintaining soil fertility.
Today, things have changed considerably. The demand for higher yields, the expansion of horticulture, and the growing threat of pests have increased reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. These products protect crops and make a real difference for orchardists whose livelihoods hang in the balance.
Yet, have we considered the cost of this growing dependence?
Walk through an apple orchard during spraying season, and one can see how closely modern horticulture is tied to chemical inputs. Farmers want healthy trees, but the effects of spraying do not stop at the targeted pest. Depending on the concentration and application method, beneficial insects and organisms are frequently harmed.
Furthermore, excessive use of fertilisers contributes to soil and water pollution, while careless handling puts farmers’ health at risk. These consequences deserve serious attention in a region where horticulture supports countless families.
At the same time, we have begun to neglect traditional safeguards. Organic manure and compost are often dismissed as old-fashioned, while chemical products are viewed as the quickest route to profit. Yet properly prepared organic matter improves soil structure, supports beneficial organisms, and maintains long-term fertility. This does not mean chemical fertilisers are inherently evil or that traditional methods can meet every modern demand.
“Our orchards must provide a living without sacrificing long-term soil health. Sustainable agriculture requires moving away from heavy chemical dependence toward caring for the land so it can continue to feed future generations.”
Plants require nutrients, and mineral fertilisers supply them efficiently. The danger begins when farmers apply them without knowing what their soil actually needs, or use pesticides without proper guidance. More chemicals do not automatically mean a better harvest. In Kashmir, this question is crucial for apple growers. An orchard is more than a source of income; its productivity depends on healthy soil, adequate water, pollinating insects, and a functioning environment. If we protect the fruit while ignoring the conditions that make its production possible, we weaken the foundation of our own agriculture. Farmers should not be shouldering the blame alone. They face rising costs, erratic weather, and the constant fear of crop failure, often relying on chemicals because they believe no alternative exists.
The responsibility also lies with agricultural departments and experts to provide timely advice, encourage routine soil testing, and help farmers adopt safer, more economical practices. A balanced approach would combine the sensible use of mineral nutrients with organic manure, compost, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to reduce unnecessary spraying. Such changes require awareness, support, and patience, but they protect both livelihoods and ecosystems. I often return to the cleric’s observation. He was not discussing agricultural policy; he was looking at life from a human perspective: what happens to our surroundings when we introduce toxic elements? His words remind us that the benefits we seek should not make us indifferent to the damage we cause.
Our orchards must produce enough to support us, but the land cannot be treated merely as a machine. It needs nourishment and care. The soil that feeds us today must remain capable of feeding our children tomorrow. We do not need to reject every chemical, but we must stop treating chemical dependence as our only path to progress. Are our agricultural practices helping life flourish, or are we allowing the pursuit of a better harvest to harm the very environment on which our survival depends?
(The author is a teacher and Environmental Science researcher pursuing a PhD in Environmental Science. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
