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.
