Can soilless farming revive a revered Kashmiri rice variety that is on the verge of extinction?

Reshi, a researcher at the Department of Agriculture in Kashmir, has adopted a method that offers new hope for reviving Mushk Budji, a rice revered for its unique aroma but which was almost wiped out by a devastating fungal disease in the 1960s. Once popular throughout Kashmir, its cultivation is now limited to Sagam village in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

Read this | Why Kashmir saffron farmers feel sad

“Last year, I started growing Mushk Budji on my rooftop,” says Reshi, beaming. In May, he went a step further and began vertical farming on his land, with the goal of turning it into a commercial enterprise. “In my first year, I achieved a bountiful yield of this premium rice variety, which means my income will triple,” he adds.

Vertical farming, usually reserved for exotic vegetables, is rarely used for rice. But for Reshi, it is the future of agriculture in Kashmir, where arable land is shrinking and traditional agriculture faces increasing challenges.

Innovation meets tradition

Mushk Budji, a rice that was once synonymous with Kashmir’s culinary identity, was on the verge of disappearing completely after being ravaged by the disease. It was not until 2007, when scientists at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) launched a revival programme, that the crop began to return.

Awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) label last year, this aromatic rice has once again begun to grace high-profile weddings across the Valley, fetching prices between $30,000 and $35,000 per 100 kg.

The variety gained further recognition when J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha praised farmers for reviving this traditional crop during the G20 summit in Kashmir.

More here | Death Overs: After a century, Kashmir bat makers could run out of stock

Reshi doesn’t stop with just one growing cycle. Your next big idea: grow Mushk Budji twice a year using vertical growing techniques. “By converting 0.025 hectares into the equivalent of four, using discarded rice husks as alternative soil, I have created a sustainable solution for smallholder farmers,” he explains.

The benefits of vertical farming are particularly striking in Kashmir, where land is scarce and the climate poses unique challenges. Mushk Budji, with its resilience to cold weather, is ideal for the region.

While most farmers plant rice in June, Reshi took a different approach. “I planted it at the end of March to allow for a possible second harvest in the future, for which research is currently being carried out,” he says.

Their innovative technique not only revives a rare traditional rice, but also offers a solution for local farmers struggling with other varieties such as Kamad and Zag (red rice).

The future of agriculture in Kashmir

On his farm, Mushk Budji It grows in vertical towers while exotic vegetables are planted underneath. Using hydroponic and aeroponic techniques, Reshi has managed to conserve both soil and water, while avoiding chemical fertilizers.

“I used 3.5m bags arranged upright along with a sprinkler irrigation system with drip lines to conserve water. “I also used rice husks, which are normally thrown away, as a natural fertilizer due to their slow decomposition rate,” he says.

See full image

“With vertical farming, we can grow not only varieties of rice, but also strawberries, lettuce, potatoes, red chilies and other exotic crops. This approach can convert otherwise unusable spaces into productive commercial areas. For example, I transformed an unused wall into 0.044 acres of arable land, growing Mushk Budji rice.”

This innovation could be a game-changer for Kashmir, where rice remains a staple and many farmers struggle with limited land. The agricultural census of the region shows that the average size of agricultural holdings is only 0.55 hectares.

Reshi also emphasizes the environmental benefits. “Conventional agriculture releases more greenhouse gases than the automotive and industrial sectors, largely due to methane emissions from rice fields and the application of fertilizers. “In contrast, vertical farming eliminates methane production and requires no fertilizers, greatly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our water bodies from pollution,” he explains.

But not everyone is convinced that vertical farming is the future. Asif Shikari, professor of genetics at SKUAST, maintains that while it is an interesting experiment, vertical farming is not likely to replace conventional methods on a large scale. “It is suitable for small producers or hobbyists, but for larger production, the yields are not comparable,” he says.

However, Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal, Kashmir’s agriculture director, is optimistic. He sees vertical farming as part of a broader effort to revitalize the region’s agriculture through the Holistic Agricultural Development Program (HADP). “The vertical farming concept could significantly boost the declining sector, which is crucial for employment in the region. “I encouraged Reshi to experiment with this method to grow high-value crops like Mushk Budji, which has a strong market but limited yield.”

Also read | Made in Bihar: How the superfood makhana works its magic

As Kulgam, once known as the rice bowl of Kashmir, loses more paddy fields to non-agricultural uses, innovations like Reshi’s could offer a way forward. The region has already seen a 17% decline in rice cultivation over the past decade, and rising prices have further burdened locals. But with vertical farming, even unused roofs and walls can be transformed into productive land.

Reshi is aware that vertical farming may not be a blanket solution to Kashmir’s agricultural challenges. Still, his work points to a future where traditional crops like Mushk Budji thrive again, on rooftops, walls, and in spaces traditional agriculture could never reach.