NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE FOR KHARIEF CAMPAIGN -2014 Presenting to MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & COOPERATION, GOI By Department of Agriculture, Kashmir, Govt. of J&K

Agro-climatic Zones of J&K State Low Altitude Sub- tropical zone (Jammu etc) Sub-tropical Temperate Transitional zone (Rajouri etc.) Valley temperate & Mid to high altitude temperate zone (Srinagar etc) Cold arid to Semi Arid Zone (Ladakh etc)

The densely settled and beautiful valley has an average height of 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) above sea-level but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of 5,000 metres (16,000 ft). With an average altitude of 5,753 metres (18,875 ft) above sea-level, the Siachen Glacier is 70 km (43 m) long making it the longest Himalayan glacier. The Jhelum River is the only major Himalayan river which flows through the Kashmir valley. The climate of Kashmir & Ladakh varies greatly owing to its rugged topography. Because of its closeness to the Arabian Sea, Srinagar receives as much as 25 inches (635 millimetres) of rain from this source, with the wettest months being March to May with around 85 millimetres (3.3 inches) per month.

Season of main Precipitation snow & rain (Feb. to March) Ago-climatic Zone Season of main Precipitation Mean Annual Rainfall (mm) Net Cultivated Area (lakh ha) Irri. Area Rainfed Area % Rain- fed Low Altitude Sub- tropical zone (Jammu etc) Monsoons 1115 1.845 0.775 1.070 57.99 Sub-tropical Temperate Transitional zone (Rajouri etc.) Brief Monsoons 1100-1476 2.266 0.222 2.044 90.20 Valley temperate & Mid to high altitude temperate zone (Srinagar etc) snow & rain (Feb. to March) 600-900 3.210 1.941 1.269 39.53 Cold arid to Semi Arid Zone (Ladakh etc) 100-900 0.199 - Total 7.52 3.137 4.383 58.24

Agri-Ecological Zones Crop Growing Period in J&K State : Determined by Agro-climatic Conditions Agri-Ecological Zones Features* Agri-Ecological Zones LGP (Days) 1. Eastern Ladakh Cold Hyper Arid < 60 6. Eastern Jammu Himalayas Warm Moist Sub-humid 150 - 210 2. Western Cold Typic 60 – 90 7. Western Jammu 210 – 270 3. Northwest Kashmir Cold Dry Semi-Arid 90 - 120 8. Jammu Shiwaliks Hot 270 – 300 4. High Mountainous Central Kashmir Temperate Dry 120 - 150 9. Jammu Plains > 300 5. Kashmir Valley Temperate Moist Sub-Humid

Major Problems Hail storm management especially in horticulture crops – the problem occurs when the crop is ready to harvest. Assistance required in Seed storage methods and seed banks in case of aberrant and untimely rainfall and flood. 4. Vast drought prone areas, specifically in Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Udhampur & Reasi districts resulting in low and fluctuating yeilds. Arrangement of alternative crop like fodder crops etc in case of damage caused by floods. No sowth wesy monsoons in Kasmir. We have westerly disturbances as a mojor source of precipitation.

Measures taken Harnessing of natural rain water by constructing water harvesting `tanks in the hilly areas through CSS schemes Crop specific water conservation measures- Sprinkler irrigation system in saffron. Planning for Introduction of Photo Voltaic Irrigation Pumps/ wells to minimize the cost of water/ liter and assuring timely irrigation without depending on power supply and thereby avoiding drought. Drought tolerant varieties and short duration varieties under procses through CITH. Crop insurance under anvil.

THANK YOU