Decades-old irrigation scheme in Moshwara lies defunct, apple growers face crisis

Farmers in the Moshwara Keller area of Shopian - south Kashmir’s fruit belt-are grappling with a deepening crisis: a defunct irrigation scheme, once envisioned as a lifeline for hundreds of kanals of apple orchards, has remained nonfunctional for over 15 years, exposing growers to harsh weather and threatening their livelihoods.

- JAHANGEER GANAIE

Speaking to the news agency, locals said the scheme started in 2007 with much fanfare, the irrigation project was meant to transform local horticulture. They said that infrastructure, including a dedicated building, pipelines, and waterlifting machinery, was installed, with a total expenditure estimated at around Rs 3 crore, but the scheme barely operated for a day before it was abandoned.

“They turned it on once, then locked the doors and walked away,” said Abdul Rashid, a distressed orchardist. “Since then, it has been a monument of neglect.”