<p><strong>Srinagar:</strong> Kashmir has witnessed a significant decline in the area under paddy cultivation over the past four decades, with nearly 40,000 hectares of paddy land being lost, reflecting major changes in the region’s agricultural landscape.</p>
<p>The decline has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the expansion of residential areas, rapid urbanisation, changing land-use patterns and growing pressure on agricultural land. As towns and villages have expanded, several areas that were once used for paddy cultivation have gradually been converted for other purposes.</p>
<p>Paddy has traditionally been one of the most important crops cultivated in Kashmir, supporting the livelihoods of thousands of farming families and contributing to the region’s food supply. The continued reduction in cultivated land has therefore raised concerns about the future of agriculture and food security in the Valley.</p>
<p>Farmers have also been facing challenges such as rising cultivation costs, labour shortages, changing weather conditions and difficulties in maintaining traditional farming practices. These pressures have made agriculture less attractive in some areas, particularly where land values have increased because of development.</p>
<p>Agriculture officials and experts have stressed the need to protect fertile agricultural land and discourage its unplanned conversion for non-agricultural purposes. They have also called for stronger land-use regulations and greater support for farmers to make cultivation economically sustainable.</p>
<p>The loss of thousands of hectares of paddy land over the last 40 years highlights the rapid transformation taking place across Kashmir. Experts say preserving the remaining agricultural areas will be important not only for farmers but also for maintaining the region’s ecolog
