Profile of District Kishtwar

Kishtwar district used to be an independent and was merged with the state of J&K in 1821 AD. It became part of newly created district doda in first reorganization of the state and has been made an independent district in the year 2007. Kishtwar district lies in the south, east of J&K touching the northern border of Himachal Pradesh. Kishtwar branches off in Marwah- wadwan valley, Paddar valley and Chatroo valley and is flanked by lofty Himalayas from all sides. Administratively district Kishtwar comprises of 4 tehsils namely Kishtwar, Paddar, Chatroo and Marwah and 8 rural blocks Kishtwar, Padar, Chatroo, Marwah, Dachan, Nagsani and Drabshala and it comprises of 74 panchayats.

Strengths

Basic factors for successful cultivation of major cereals are available
Fertile and productive soils with 88% irrigated area
Soils are fit for intensive cultivation
Receptive farmers willing to adopt improved farm technologies

Weaknesses

Inefficient Water Management
Inadequate soil health management
Lack of awareness on conservation technologies
critical technology gaps in specific areas of crop production viz seed treatment, balance fertilizer and insect pest disease management
Low adoption level of FYM, green manuring and vermi-composting and crop / farm residue management

Opportunities

Immense scope for mixed / multiple cropping with higher income and employment generation
Vast opportunities prevail for profitable diversification of existing cropping pattern within crops and towards non - crop husbandry
Bridging yield gaps between average yield and attainable yield

Threats

Degrading soil fertility especially with declining status of potash and micronutrients
Declining factor productivity and rising cost of cultivation especially in predominant paddy - wheat cropping system
Increasing farmers inability to invest in agricultural production system
Increased incidence of insect - pest and disease complex.
Weeds and insects thriving on common lands and government lands