Horti.
Dept. Kashmir responds to news item 'Leaf Miner infestation in Apple Orchards
of Shopian' published by Jammu daily
SRINAGAR, JULY 23: In
reference to the news story titled 'Leaf Miner infestation in Apple Orchards of
Shopian' published by Jammu edition of daily national newspaper on 21-07-2024,
the Horticulture department Kashmir today issued a detail response.
As per an official
statement issued here, it has been given out that the Apple Leaf Blotch Miner
(ALBM) Pest (Leucoptera scitella) is an invasive pest which was reported in
Kashmir in the year 2020-21 from Zainapora area of District Shopian.
Immediately after the reports, the experts from Department of Horticulture and
SKUAST-K reached the affected areas and conducted various awareness and
training camps.
The ad-hoc advisory/
management practices were issued on-spot and time to time for the control of
the pest.
The online google forms
were devised for real time data generation from affected areas, which helped in
devising the ad-hoc advisory and subsequent control of the pest.
During the initial period
of incidence, the pest spread to some other districts also, such as Anantnag,
Kulgam, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla.
The robust response by
the experts from the Department of Horticulture and SKUAST-K and the cooperation
by the farmers brought the pest under control and the incidence was reduced
from 90% to 03% in these districts; particularly the highly infested areas of
district Shopian and Kulgam.
The pest is under control
in all those areas where the ad-hoc advisory is being followed in letter and
spirit.
In general, the
orchardists are religiously implementing management practices (IPM) as have
been advocated by Department of Horticulture and SKUAST-K.
The experts from
Department of Horticulture and SKUAST-K are working tirelessly to bring the
pest under control and a significant success is being achieved.
The insecticides
effective against the Pest and recommended by SKUAST-K are available in the
market in sufficient quantities.
The orchardists are
requested not to worry and are advised to follow the Advisory issued by the
SKUAST-K in letter and Sprit and on community basis. The Department of
Horticulture will leave no stone unturned in order to bring the pest under
control.