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In striking contrast to the improved and increased yield at this farm set up in 1972, the workers’ lives move in the reverse direction, nothing changes but for the worst
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Thirty five years ago, Syed Mohammad Amin, a daily wage labourer came from Hajibal to work in the Bosian Potato Seed farm nestled at an altitude of 8,400 feet amid the alpine dense forests in Rafiabad Baramulla district, north Kashmir, 15 kilometers away from his home.
Three decades later, he has seen the farm yield grow but nothing has changed in his life.
“When I started, we lacked resources, but things have only become harder. The production keeps increasing, but we work in the same poor conditions,” he said with a sigh, his face bearing the weathered lines of countless setbacks.
The Bosian Potato Seed Farm Nestled is a government-run facility that has been a hub of potato seed production since 1972.
Despite achieving record yields in recent years, the farm operates under severe neglect, leaving its workers grappling with hardships.
All they get at the end of a hard day’s work is Rs 311.
The farm is the valley’s second-highest altitude farm and largest potato seed producer. Reaching Bosian is no easy feat. Poor road connectivity isolates the farm, with narrow, uneven paths making it challenging to transport goods.
The road is not macadamized and only jeeps and tractors can run. No buses go there and the nearest public transport is 3 kilometres away, compelling the farm workers to trek for 1-2 hours to reach the farm.
“During heavy rains or snow, the roads become impassable, delaying work and supplies,” Amin added.
The farm is spread over 45.5 hectares (900 kanals). “In 2022 and 2023, the farm produced its highest quantity of yield—2,305 quintals of potato seeds”. This is an improvement from what the farm was producing about a year ago. In 2015, 1,600 quintals of potato seeds were produced. In 2016, 2,000 quintals were produced. declared).
The data for 2024 is not yet available but farm workers say, it has been better than previous years. In 2024, 18.71 (370 kanals) hectares were cultivated, producing 8 varieties like Chipsona, Jyoti, Chander Mukhi, Pukh Raj and K-Karan in separate blocks named A-H block, said Field assistant Nayeem Iqbal.
“The potatoes seeds are sold at Rs. 37 per kilogram. However, prices vary annually between Rs. 35 to Rs. 50,” he added
The fields are prepared with machines such as automatic potato planters for sowing which begins in May. The seeds take about three months and 20 days to grow, during which they are treated with different medicines to prevent diseases.
Ali Mohammad Mir, a farm worker revealed, “We reserve 100–200 kilograms of potato seed produced annually for sowing in two blocks of the farm. The rest of the seeds are imported from Punjab,”.
“We used to finish harvesting by October. But in 2024 it stretched into late November,” Ali Mohammad said, alluding to the bumper yield last year.
In October harvesting begins, after which the seeds are sent to the base camp Wohlutra Rafiabad, for sorting and packing. They are then shifted to the agriculture departmental stores to Lal Mandi Srinagar, and later distributed to valley’s different districts, said Wakeel Ahmad Khan, the storekeeper at the farm.
The planting and harvesting processes are labour-intensive. Since 2014, when outsourcing of labour was stopped, the farm workers have struggled to perform multiple hard tasks and juggle their daily lives.
Workers handle tasks from sowing to sorting, packing, and transporting seeds to Srinagar, All this while bearing their own accommodation and food expenses. Most of them hail from far flung areas and have had to relocate to this remote place for work.
Mir came here from Chandoosa Baramulla which is 15-20 kilometres away from the farm.
Around 29 workers keep the farm operational, including daily wagers and skilled labourers. Most live away from their families for months at a time, residing in temporary huts provided by the tourism department. These shelters lack electricity, drinking water, and basic facilities.
“At night, it’s complete darkness. We fetch unsafe water from nearby streams, which affects our health”, Abdul Rahman stated.
Rahman is a casual labourer who has spent more than 20 years at the farm. He hails from Wohlutra, 10 kilometres away.
“Wages are low and that is the biggest challenge,” he told the Kashmir Times. “I earn Rs. 311 a day. It’s barely enough to support my family of six including four childrens,” he lsaid.
Skilled workers (machine operators) at the farm earn Rs. 411 per day—but still struggle to meet their family’s basic needs in current times. “We are demanding at least Rs. 700–800 per day to support our families,” he said.
Comparisons to other regions only add to their frustrations. “Labourers elsewhere earn Rs. 600–700 daily. Why are we paid so little despite working even as we work in far tougher conditions?” Rahman questioned.
“This farm is vital for potato seed production in the valley, yet the workers are left to struggle,” Rahman said, his remarks highlighting the irony of the workers lives deteriorating while the farm sets new records in production.
Courtesy: kashmirtimes
Photo: Umer Farooq