Embedded Files
Life has turned dystopian for farmers, with their livelihoods crumbling before their very eyes.
"Earlier, snowfall would occur by November-December. Now, even by January-February, there’s no snow... The snowfall pattern has drastically changed."
- Social Activist in Keylong
Shrinking winters and delayed snowfall are clear indicators of shifting climate patterns, leaving once snow-covered regions barren and disrupting traditional seasonal rhythms. When we visited Keylong, one of the coldest regions of India, it had been the first time it snowed in months
"We used to harvest three crops every year... Now, during summer, it’s excessively hot, and during winter, it’s not cold enough. The snowfall we used to get earlier has stopped; it’s been about 35 years since snow last fell."
- Farmer in Salgi Village (Day 2, Interview 2)
The absence of rainfall and snowfall, paired with extreme heat, has drastically reduced crop yields. As farming becomes increasingly unsustainable, many are forced into secondary jobs, leading the next generation to abandon agriculture entirely.
However, farmers are not standing still. They are finding ways to adapt and endure.
"We now farm according to the weather... During the rainy season, we grow garlic and onions because they require less water."
Farmer from Kamand Village (Day 3, Interview 3)
"We had stopped (growing kodra)... Now, the entire village is cultivating it again... We resumed growing kodra for 8-10 years"
Farmer from Kamand Village (Day 3, Interview 4)
And natural farming has already yielded promising results...
“We grew tomatoes and beans on 5 bigha (area unit of measurement similar to acres) with the natural farming method. While spending just Rs. 1500, [the] earnings was Rs. 80,000”
- A Natural Farmer (Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojna, 2021)
Natural Farming has lead to:
Higher Quality Crops
No need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides
Less yearly expenses for farmers
Less wastage of material
- (Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojna, 2021)
Through solutions like natural farming, farmers can truly thrive despite the changing climate.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse