Danishwar Hameed
In a significant advancement for agriculture in Kashmir, the Department of Agriculture has successfully introduced Mushki Budij rice to Kulgam.
This soil-less vertical farming to cultivate the region’s treasured Mushki Budij rice, marks a transformative shift in local farming practices.
Previously confined to limited belts like Kokernag in Anantnag, the rice variety is now being grown more efficiently in Kulgam, with vertical farming enabling two harvests per year while drastically reducing land usage, officials from Department of Agriculture told The Kashmiriyat.
Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal, Director of Agriculture, inaugurated the first-ever harvest under this method in Kulgam, praising the success of the initiative spearheaded through the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP).
He stressed the long-term benefits for farmers, particularly as this innovative technique offers sustainable growth and higher yields.
He said that on trial basis the crop was introduced to four areas in the district including Kelam, Czowgam, Sangas and Damhal Hanjpora.
Speaking to The Kashmiriyat local farmers said that they are really excited as the agricultural produce has declined and the cost of production has gone higher during the last few years and serval farmers have turned to alternatives forms of employment.
“So far ten to twelve farmers have been given the crop and we are really thankful to the department of agriculture. This could provide a major boost to the dying sector, which contributes massively to the employment in the region,” said Abdul Rashid Dar, a local farmer from Kelam.
This year, Mushkil Budji was cultivated across 138 hectares in Kulgam, a marked expansion from its traditional areas in Sagam belt of Anantnag’s Kokernag, underscoring a revival for the rice variety once on the verge of decline due to competition from hybrid strains.
The department now plans to distribute Mushki Budji seeds to farmers, encouraging the adoption of this groundbreaking farming model across Kashmir.
This development signals a new era for Kashmir’s agriculture, as the revival and expansion of Mushki Budji production could once again bring the revered rice to the forefront of Kashmiri cuisine and markets.
Mushki Budji is a traditional variety of aromatic rice from Kashmir, known for its unique fragrance and fine texture.
Due to its rarity and high demand, this premium rice is sold at prices upto ₹10,000 per quintal, making it a highly prized commodity in the region.