“Unveiling the Struggle: Female Garlic Farmers in Shopian District, South Kashmir, Battle for Survival”

Aaqib Naik

Shopian, 04 July: In South Kashmir’s Shopian district, resilient female farmers tirelessly cultivate garlic, a vital cash crop in the region. However, their unwavering dedication is consistently met with a recurring setback—the current market rates, which, despite some improvement, fail to adequately acknowledge the immense efforts and commitment required for a successful garlic harvest.

Female farmers, who face additional gender-related barriers and biases, encounter a distinct disadvantage when it comes to negotiating and securing fair prices for their hard-earned harvest. Despite their unwavering dedication, these women find themselves receiving meager returns, leaving them to bear the brunt of significant hardships. In the lower belt of Shopian District, particularly in areas like Awaneera, Durapora, Safanagri, and Chermarg, where garlic production thrives, female farmers remain actively engaged throughout the year, involved in every aspect of cultivation, from planting to harvesting. Unfortunately, their tireless efforts often go unrewarded as the prevailing market rates fail to adequately compensate them for their invaluable contributions.

Shameema Banoo, a dedicated female farmer from Durapora, invests countless hours and exerts significant physical labor to ensure the success of her garlic crop. From meticulous soil preparation to planting cloves, nurturing the crop, and protecting it against pests and diseases, she leaves no stone unturned.

However, despite her unwavering dedication, Shameema faces a daunting challenge in reaping the benefits of her labor. The market rates for garlic consistently disappointingly undervalue her hard-earned produce, adding to her frustrations.

The women of Shopian district, renowned for their dedication and expertise, find themselves facing an ongoing struggle as the market rates for this crop fall short of providing them with a sustainable income. Compounded by the perennial nature of garlic, where they must wait for an extended period, sometimes up to a year, to reap the rewards of their labor, the delay in income further exacerbates the financial challenges they already face.

This situation not only hampers the economic empowerment of these women but also undermines their contribution to the agricultural sector and overall development of the region.

In Durapora village of Shopian District, a group of female farmers faces a significant challenge during the garlic harvest season due to the crop’s delicate nature and susceptibility to deterioration. As a result, they are compelled to make a difficult choice: selling their produce early to avoid potential risks, even if it means sacrificing the possibility of fetching higher prices.

Adding to their predicament, garlic bulbs gradually lose moisture and weight over time, leading to a decrease in market value. This situation places the farmers in a tough position, forcing them to weigh the options of waiting for potentially better prices while risking further deterioration, or opting to sell at suboptimal rates to minimize potential losses.

In a disappointing turn of events, female garlic farmers in Shopian District have reportedly sold their crops at significantly lower rates than the current market value. Mohd Rafeeq Itoo, an intermediary in the garlic crop market, disclosed that he purchased 1000 quintals of garlic from female farmers during the initial stage of harvesting when rates ranged from 30-40 Rs per Kg. However, the current market rates have surged to almost 70 Rs per Kg, leaving the female farmers at a considerable disadvantage.

The challenges faced by these garlic farmers are manifold. Their arduous journey begins with the application of pesticides and meticulous use of manure to ensure optimal crop growth. These female farmers pour their hearts and souls into the garlic fields, sparing no effort in the pursuit of a bountiful harvest.

Masrat jan, another female farmer, laments that intermediaries fail to provide them with fair and valuable rates for their crops. After investing a year of backbreaking labor in garlic production, they find themselves disillusioned and financially drained as promises of profitable market rates dissolve into empty rhetoric.

“Garlic farming is a labor-intensive endeavor that demands unwavering dedication from us. We commit our land solely to this crop for an entire year, unable to cultivate any other crop during this period. Therefore, we rely solely on the success of the garlic crop for sustenance. However, the lack of support from intermediaries has left us feeling exploited and undervalued,” she added.

Official reports indicate that last year’s garlic harvest yielded a total of 16,000 metric tons (Mt), while this year’s forecast predicts an astonishing 29,000 Mt. This exponential increase has astounded farmers and industry experts, opening up avenues for economic growth and exponential export opportunities.

Despite these facts, female farmers primarily rely on market rates. They argue that they lack the necessary technical resources to negotiate effectively with intermediaries who exploit their vulnerabilities and offer unreasonably low prices for their garlic produce.