In a major concern, the apple crop in Kashmir has widely been hit by scab with growers blaming the spurious chemicals available in the local market.

According to experts nearly 30-40 percent of the fruit has been affected by the fungal disease Scab, which according to them is fast spreading due to the humidity in the atmosphere.

Last year the annual production of apple in Kashmir was 17 lakh metric ton and the hope of the industry to produce 17 lakh boxes of apple this year has been dashed by the disease, experts said.

Deputy Director, Horticulture, Akhtar Hussain, acknowledged that the effect of the disease on the fruit was never so severe.

“We have surveyed different areas in Kashmir here and the effect on the crop has been most severe. In Shopian while 10 percent of the area has been affected, in Baramulla 5 percent production will be hit,” he said.

“The ongoing weather has also affected the fruit and the fungal disease has spread due to the humidity in the atmosphere,” Hussain said.

However, the fruit growers blame the spurious pesticides and chemicals being supplied by the government and available in the market. “We asked the government many a time that it should check the sale of fake pesticides here, but it has taken no steps except giving false assurances to the growers,” they said.

“We had earlier apprised the government that it should announce the crop insurance scheme to offset the effect of losses, but government has taken no steps even in this direction,” Bashir Ahmed Bashir, president New Kashmir Fruit Association said.

He said the fungal disease has spread across Kashmir and among the areas worst hit include the fruit belts of Ganderbal, Sopore, Handwara, Shopian and Wagoora.

“The fruit prices will take a big hit as our estimates suggest that nearly one-third of the fruit production will be affected here. There is no market for the scab-hit apple. A box sells for Rs 200, while as more money goes into its production,” Bashir explained.

Deputy Director, Horticulture, however, said that the diseases has affected the apple as the orchard owners have not been following strictly the spray schedule issued by the government.

President of Sopore Fruit Association, Fayaz Ahmad Malik, alleged that the government has failed to check the sale of spurious pesticides which has affected the major portion of the fruit in Sopore. It has affected all major areas here.’’

Source - http://www.greaterkashmir.com/