‘Over 90 % of 4080 MT pesticides being used for disease, pest management in apple industry’
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Feb 2: A Divisional Level Orientation cum Training Programme of APEX projects with two programmes on “Minimising pesticide use” and “Rainfed agriculture” concluded on Thursday at SKUAST-Kashmir.
The public relation officer of the University said that the orientation programme was chaired by Prof. Sarfaraz A. Wani, Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir and attended by Prof Tariq A Masoodi, Registrar SKUAST-K, Dr Raihana Habib, Dean Faculty of Agriculture Wadura,District Level Officers from Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sheep Husbandry, Animal Husbandry and Scientists of KVKs.
Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir joined in virtual mode and appreciated the efforts of Officers from line Departments and Scientists of SKUAST-Kashmir for making the programme success.
However, he made it clear that UT of J&K has entrusted a big responsibility on our shoulders and ‘we have to come up with flying colours’. He stressed on the ground level implementation of the project in letter and spirit. Director Research in his inaugural address in the morning session briefed about the need and importance of the project in view of the backdrop of non-judicious and indiscriminate use of pesticides in our valley viz-a-viz its health hazards and implications in future.
He shared with the house >90 % of 4080 MT pesticides are used in apple only for disease and pest management. It is worthwhile to mention that J&K ranking 4th in total pesticide consumption with highest per ha pesticide consumption in the country and spending 55% of production costs on crop protection.
This project is formulated to minimize the pesticide use, reduce input costs by 20-40% and to provide quality and safe fruit production suitable for exports. Dr. Tariq Rasool, Asstt. Professor, Division of Plant Pathology and Dr. Malik Mukhtar, Assoc. Professor Div. of Entomology, SKUAST-Kashmir delivered the presentation.
Director Research in the 2nd session in his address highlighted that over 50% of cultivable land is rainfed with poor crop, livestock productivity and quality of produce leading to low farmer income.
The project is aiming to adopt climate resilient and nutritionally smart crops varieties and improved breeds and promoting IFS/ILS. By way of increasing cropping intensity and post-harvest handling and agro processing facilities the farmers income will be increased to a great extent.
The presentation on rainfed agriculture was delivered by Dr. Ajaz A. Lone, Professor, Dr Nazir A Pala and Dr. Zahoor A Dar, Professor joined online. The orientation programmes were coordinated by Prof. Nasir Ahmad Dar, Nodal Officer, Divisional Level Orientation Programme and Dr. Irfan Bisati, Associate Scientist of the programme. Prof. Nasir Ahmad Dar presented vote of thanks.
