India, Oct. 6 -- Around 25 kilometres south of Srinagar, in the Kakapora area of Pulwama district, farmers are cutting paddy with a sense of relief they have not felt for a long time. After years of floods, dry spells and uneven weather, this season has brought the temperature, sunshine and rainfall that rice needs to grow well.

Harvesting has begun in several parts of Kashmir, including Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama and Ganderbal. Cultivators say the crop is better than in recent seasons, and many hope it will improve their incomes after repeated losses.

A long wait

Mohammad Maqbool Ganaie, 47, a farmer from Wandakhpora village, said he thanked God for a harvest he had not seen in 15 years. He said farmers had faced water shortages for ma...