SRINAGAR, JAN 24: In a significant move, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGCD) has appealed to the Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to take immediate action against dealers involved in the trade of substandard pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
This plea, outlined in a statement, underscores the potential threat these inferior agricultural products pose to the horticulture industry in the region.
The KVFGCD, representing a coalition of fruit growers’ associations in the Valley, expressed concerns over the influx of substandard agricultural inputs, emphasizing that it could have severe consequences for the horticulture sector in J&K. Recent weeks have seen the Enforcement wing of the Agriculture/Horticulture Departments confiscating numerous bags of spurious fertilizers in Sopore and Kulgam districts.
“The spray of pesticides, fertilizers in fruit orchards starts in the month of March every year, and these commodities are always stored in bulk quantities by the concerned dealers well in advance,” chairman fruit growers union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer stated.
He further highlighted the apprehension among Valley-based fruit growers regarding the availability of substandard fertilizers and pesticides with what the association refers to as “Mafia dealers.”
The KVFGCD stressed that the use of substandard agricultural products not only poses a threat to fruit orchards but also has indirect effects on human lives. The association labeled the horticulture industry as the backbone of J&K’s economy and emphasized the potential devastating impact on the livelihoods of millions of people if immediate action is not taken.
Basheer requested the DGP to initiate actions against these “Mafia dealers” akin to measures taken against drug peddlers. The union sees this course of action as crucial for safeguarding human lives and securing the interests of the horticulture industry.
This development comes at a critical juncture as the J&K government is actively working to boost the horticulture industry. Recent initiatives aimed at improving fruit production quality and increasing exports could be jeopardized if substandard agricultural products continue to infiltrate the market. The KVFGCD’s call for police intervention underscores the urgency of addressing this issue to ensure the sustained growth and revival of the horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
