Srinagar, Sept. 24 -- The shrinking average operational landholding in Jammu and Kashmir is a sign of a deeper change taking place in the rural economy. The average operational holding has declined from 0.595 hectares in 2015 to 0.593 hectares, or around 1.47 acres. While the change in the average figure may appear small, it needs to be viewed alongside the growing population, division of family land, urbanisation and the changing nature of agriculture. Small and fragmented holdings make farming more difficult. A farmer with limited land has less room to absorb rising input costs, weather shocks and market fluctuations. Fragmentation can also make it harder to introduce modern machinery, irrigation systems and efficient farming practices....