Govt introduces reforms, consumers slightly relieved but say ‘it’s not enough’
Sheikh Mustafa
BONIYAR, BARAMULLA: Sharp escalation in the price of rice – the staple diet in Kashmir – is compelling people from low-income groups to cut down on their daily grain intake or rely on unconventional grains like wheat and maize to sustain. The prices have almost doubled for all varieties of rice.
Abdul Quyoom Mir, President Market Association, Baramulla, told the Kashmir Times, “Locally produced rice prices have doubled, jumping from an average of ₹2500-₹3000 per quintal to ₹4600-₹5500. Popular brands have seen even steeper increase, with some exceeding ₹4500 per quintal compared to previous prices of ₹2500 per quintal. Previously, popular Kashmiri rice brands sold for around ₹2,500 per quintal (100 kg). Today, the same brands cost nearly ₹4,500, revealing a staggering increase.”
Reduction in subsidised rations
Reports indicate a steep rise in the rice price following the withdrawal of Jammu Kashmir Food Entitlement Scheme (JKFES) in September 2022 and the subsequent withdrawal of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) later in December.
These programs were instrumental in ensuring that the local population had access to a consistent supply of free rice ration, providing 10 to 15 kilograms per eligible household. This way the state had been playing its vital welfarist role in helping low income groups to fight hunger and starvation.
Ever since the withdrawal of these schemes, the region has plunged into a severe ration crisis. The withdrawal of these two schemes have had severe consequences for the people of Kashmir, especially for the poor households where rice is the staple diet for the majority.
Even though the central government replaced the old welfare schemes with a centrally funded National Food Security Act (NFSA) in December 2022, there is little relief for the public as the ration quotas have been reduced to 5 kilos per person. This is insufficient, people complain.
“We are rice eaters and consume rice at least twice a day,” they say.
Impact on Low Income Groups
“5 kilos per person does not even last half a month,” a middle-aged man said in despair. “I have seven children to feed, and I work as a labourer. How am I supposed to make both ends meet?”
His words echo the plight of many Kashmiris struggling with the surge in rice price. A staple food in the region, rice has become increasingly unaffordable, forcing families to cut back on other essentials or skip meals altogether.
“I only get 35 kg of rice per month and we are 10 family members. Now we eat roti for one meal. Some people still manage because they have land to grow food. I don’t have even one Marla of land and I am solely dependent on the government ration. I am a poor person I don’t know what to do,” said Lal Mohd Sheikh, who works as a mason and lives in Sheerwanipora, Boniyar.
Impact Across The Valley
With reduction in subsidised rations and rise in market prices of rice, the heat is being felt across Kashmir. Even for the middle-income groups, rice is becoming an unaffordable luxury.
Families are switching to cheaper alternatives like wheat or maize, which lack the cultural significance and taste of Kashmiri rice. Some are reducing their rice intake, impacting their dietary needs. Many fear the situation could worsen, pushing food security to a critical point.
“Rice is a part of every meal in our homes,” said Gulzar Ahmad another labourer from Sheerwani pora Boniyar of District Baramulla. “With prices rising daily, it’s becoming a luxury we can barely afford. We request the government to intervene in this matter and make sure that everyone has access to this staple food.”
Assistant Director Food District Baramulla Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Tariq outlined the various factors that have contributed to the rice price crisis and also highlighted the efforts being made by the government to combat the problem.
Demand and Supply
According to Tariq, “The prices are always determined by a complex interplay of demand and supply. Currently, high demand across the country, including in Kashmir, has led to an export ban on rice to ensures domestic availability for the country’s 81 crore population, including the 14.32 lakh ration card holders in Kashmir who receive subsidized rice under the Public Distribution System (PDS) network.”
The demand far exceeds the supply. This compels the government to procure rice at Rs 35-39 per kg from the open market for PDS network and distribute it free to all priority households and at Rs 15 per kg to non-priority households through Food Corporation of India (FCI).
However, to meet the additional demand in Kashmir, 60-70% of the rice is sourced from other states through FCI, he adds. This highlights the intricate dynamics of rice distribution in India, where government intervention and inter-state cooperation play crucial roles in ensuring food security.
According to the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCSCA) data, 5,85,671 quintals of food grains (rice and wheat) was allocated to the Kashmir division under NFSA, JKFES and PMGKAY in July 2020. The allocation was reduced to 5,10,000 quintals in August 2021.
Shrinking Paddy Fields
Tariq sees the shrinking paddy farms in Kashmir as another contributing factor.
“Kashmir’s famous rice fields are disappearing now. Every year, more and more land meant for growing rice is being used for building houses, shops, and other commercial purposes. The government is trying to stop this, but it is not easy. After all, people need homes and jobs, and land for constructions is limited. Finding a solution to this increasing imbalance is important for Kashmir’s future,” he opines.
Kashmir’s landscape, once renowned for its expansive emerald paddy fields, is undergoing a worrying transformation. Over the past decade, thousands of hectares of this fertile land have been converted for non-agricultural purposes, raising alarm about food security, environmental sustainability, and the region’s cultural heritage.
Kashmir has witnessed a significant decline in the area under paddy cultivation in the last two decades, according to data from the J&K Department of Agriculture.
The area under paddy cultivation decreased from 1,62,309 hectares in 2012-13 to 1,34,067 hectares in 2021-22, a decrease of 17%.
Kulgam, once known as the Valley’s rice bowl, has been particularly affected by this decline. The district has lost 50% of its paddy fields to non-agricultural use in the last two decades. This has led to Kashmir becoming more reliant on other states for its staple food.
Climatic change
Another factor, the officer says, is the climate change.
He points out, “Kashmir’s famous rice fields are facing a new unpredictable weather. Hotter summers, less rain, and even snowfall in the wrong season are making it harder for farmers to grow their crops.”
“With streams drying up and irrigation channels reduced to a trickle, many fields are left parched. This means less rice, a worrying proposition for both farmers and families, who rely on it for food. Some even have to switch to different crops that need less water,” Tariq adds.
Kashmir is known to be one of the rice bowls in the country but today its future is threatened. Climate change is affecting food production worldwide, and Kashmir is just one of the many examples.
A study in 2019 showed that “Irrigated rice, wheat and mustard productions in J&K may have been reduced by 6%, 4% and 4%, respectively. The deficit in food production in Kashmir region has reached 40%, while the deficit is 30% in vegetable production and 69% in oilseed production, putting food security at a greater risk.”
Government Initiatives
Sheikh Tariq, however, is optimistic. He states that some recent measures taken by the government can help address the gap between the demand and supply.
One of these schemes is called “Bharat Chawal, Bharat Chana” Scheme, under which the central government offer rice at a subsidized rate of Rs 29 per kg, which is below the market rate, aiming to directly address the price hike impact. This subsidized rice makes it significantly more affordable compared to market prices.”
Another scheme is the ‘Free Ration Scheme for Priority Households’, which is a free ration scheme for five years for Priority Households (PHH), aimed at ensuring continued access to essential staple food like rice for those who need it the most.
Tariq also said that the government has expanded the availability of rice through Cooperative Stores.
“Previously, subsidized rice was primarily available through the PDS netowrk. Now, it is also accessible through Cooperative Stores, providing more convenient purchase options for consumers,” he added.
Another recent development is the announcement by the Government of India making it mandatory for all traders, wholesalers, retailers and processors/millers to declare their rice stock positions.
The government has taken this action to manage food inflation and monitor the stocks as they are released into the market in a bid to cool down the prices.
Some Relief But Not Enough
However, the efficiency and efficacy of these recent schemes aimed to bridge the gap between demand and supply of food grains and introduce an element of transparency has yet to be tested at the ground level.
As for consumers, they view them with a bit of optimism peppered with some disappointment and skepticism.
As 28-year-old Maqsood from Boniyar, Baramulla says, “My Father is a labourer and for us, even a single rupee counts.”
“Bharat Chawal,” he says, “is still unaffordable for us and unfortunately the monthly PDS rice quota disappears quickly. It doesn’t last for fifteen days.”
“Local rice is out of reach. We’re worried about feeding our families,” he further adds.
However, for Said Mohd Maqbool, the Bharat Chawal Scheme offers some relief amidst the worrisome rice price hike. “However, we request and hope that while this scheme continues, there is a basic increase in the PDS quotas for rice,” he adds.
He also deems the opening of Cooperative Stores for rice distribution as a step in the right direction. Some residents, who feel that the new schemes, sound beneficial opine that it is also important to ensure that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
Riyaz Ahmad Mir a software developer from Tangmarg Baramulla, says, “it is worth giving it a chance. If the schemes deliver on their promises, it could provide much-needed relief to struggling families.”
He adds, “Bharat Chawal and PDS could be a step in the right direction. The rice price increase was a burden, especially for low-income families.”
“In the least, these schemes are an indication that the government seems to be acknowledging the rice price hike issue,” Mir says.
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