Baramulla:- In a major concern ,a mysterious disease has struck apple orchards across north Kashmir, causing huge financial losses to the growers and dealers.
A deligation of apple growers fom Pattan,Sopore,Handwara and Wagoora areas of north Kashmir told KO that an unknown disease has hit apple crops and have demaged the fruit.
It is the third consecutive year the apple growers have suffered such a huge loss.Almost five lack families of north Kashmir are directly dependent on apple production.
The continous loss from last three years has badly jolted our economical condition.In 2014 floods and rains in harvesting season damaged our fruit.Similarly in 2015 due to chilly weather in April May the fruits fell down before reach to its full size and now this year due to some unknown disease 70% in some areas 80% in most areas has damaged the apple fruit Said one of the farmer GH Mohammad Bhat.
we have taken loans from banks how can we repay it,as Apple fruit is the only source of income for we people now it is nowhere.Our children will face problems as their school fee and other needs are out of reachhe further added.
Another person alleged that this damage to crop is due to substandard pesticides and fertilisers being sold in market.
The delegation appealed the CM to address their problems and have demanded a compensation against the loss.
When contacted minster for agriculture Gh.Nabi Hanjoora said “I have directed the director horticulture to personally visit the affected areas and submit a a report in this regard”.
The chief horticulture officer told Ko that we will make visit to the affected areas and see what needs to be done.When asked about quality of pesticides in the market CHO baramulla told that we have taken samples of these pesticides and fertilisers and sent these to Labs. for the verification of their chemical composition but have not received the report because the department has not sufficient funds to be utilised for this task .
.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
