Srinagar, Aug 06 (KNO): The apple industry, often regarded as the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, is facing a major challenge in central Kashmir's Budgam district, where a leaf-miner disease has rapidly spread across multiple areas, leaving orchard owners and farmers deeply anxious about their livelihoods.
According to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the disease has affected apple trees in all 18 subdivisions of Budgam, causing widespread shedding of leaves and apples. Villages such as Beerwa, Lolipora, Gundipora, Warihama, Magam, Narbal, Chairhar, Bandgam, Batpora, Panchath, Mahwar, Nasrullah Pora, Qazi Bagh, Hayat Pora, Pakher Pora, and several adjacent areas have been hit particularly hard over the past 20 days. Locals say the outbreak, which began around July 15, has put both farmers and traders at risk of severe financial losses if it is not controlled soon.
The growing crisis has sparked frustration among the local community, who accuse the horticulture department of failing to provide timely and adequate support. “We have not seen department staff on the ground, and there is a lack of clear, expert advice on how to tackle this disease,” said an orchard owner from Magam. Many farmers fear that their entire year’s income may be wiped out.
Concerns have also been raised about the quality of pesticides and medicines available in the market. “Substandard and expired products are being sold openly in Magam, Beerwa, Pathan, Khag, Chari Sharif, Chadura, Khan Sahib, Narbal, Shadipora, Budgam, and other interior areas, but enforcement officials remain passive,” locals said. Many believe that advisories issued by the horticulture department have had little practical impact, remaining only on paper.
Despite significant investments in research at SKUAST (Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology), growers say diseases continue to ravage orchards in Budgam’s interior villages, highlighting what they describe as departmental negligence. There are widespread calls for stricter checks on the sale of pesticides and medicines and strong action against those running illegal businesses.
Responding to the crisis, Chief Horticulture Officer Budgam, Shafeeqa Khalid, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but urged calm. “It is a leaf miner issue; this is a new insect, a new pest. The university is also working on its management, and the department is involved as well," she said.
Shafeeqa added, "Based on our monthly reports, we have noticed that there are some areas with slightly higher infestation, like Pakher Pora, some parts of Magam, Qazi Pora, and Nasrullah Pora. Our field staff, whether horticulture development officers, subject matter specialists, or field staff, immediately delivered the university’s advisory to the concerned localities through field functions. My request to the people is that if they follow these advisories religiously, God willing, we can control this completely."
The officer further clarified that primary enforcement falls under the Directorate of Agriculture. “In horticulture, we don’t have an enforcement wing. Our horticulture development officers have been designated as insecticide inspectors, but there is a separate wing for licensing, checking, etc., and that responsibility lies with the Directorate of Agriculture,” she added.
Shafeeqa defended the department’s efforts, citing geotagged photographs as proof of their presence in the field and noting that both officers and technicians are under considerable pressure. “We are holding small awareness camps to inform people to strictly follow the advisories issued by scientists. If we feel there is a greater need, we will send more teams. We have kept updates everywhere; there is no such outbreak that is causing major concern,” she added—(KNO)