Srinagar, Oct 29: Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Wednesday said that the incidence of the Leaf Minor pest has witnessed a significant surge over the past two to three years due to changing climatic conditions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Alongside, there has also been a noticeable resurgence and increased severity of aphid infestations across several parts of the Kashmir Valley.
Responding to queries raised by MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay during the Legislative Assembly session, Dar said that climate variations have directly impacted pest behavior, leading to new challenges for horticulturists and farmers.
“The Leaf Minor pest has shown a surge in the past two to three years due to climatic changes. Similarly, there has been a notable resurgence of aphid infestations in several areas of the Valley,” Dar informed the House.
Kullay had also raised concerns about the performance of agricultural universities in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming that they were not functioning effectively. Reacting to this, Dar urged legislators not to undermine the state’s scientific institutions. “Our universities and scientists are working diligently and finding sustainable solutions to agricultural challenges. We must not demean our institutions,” he said.
The Minister further informed that the Department of Horticulture, in collaboration with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), has been conducting regular field surveillance, pest monitoring, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) interventions to effectively control and contain pest outbreaks.
“Regular awareness and capacity-building programmes are also being organized to sustain community-based interventions,” he said. “Pests like Leaf Minor have a potential for rapid horizontal spread, warranting an integrated pest management approach that combines insecticide use, bio-control agents, and cultural practices with community participation.”
Dar said the government has adopted a community-based IPM approach, particularly in hotspot areas, which includes blanket coverage in contiguous zones. The Department of Horticulture, he added, continues to issue advisories in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir to guide farmers on effective pest control strategies.
The Minister clarified that while pest outbreaks require coordinated responses, large-scale blanket spraying of insecticides through drones is not advisable. “Research institutions have not recommended drone-based spraying due to environmental concerns, fragmented land holdings, harm to non-target organisms, and the non-availability of ultra-low-volume formulations for these pests,” Dar said.
He emphasized that the Horticulture Department follows advisories issued by SKUAST-K, the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to ensure environmentally safe practices.
Highlighting government initiatives to strengthen horticulture infrastructure, Dar said the department is making concerted efforts to boost the local nursery sector and promote the production of quality indigenous planting material under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP—Project 21) and the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP).
“The government is providing financial and subsidy support for establishing Mother Orchards, Rootstock Banks, and Plant Propagation Units across districts to encourage local plant nursery growers,” he said.
Dar further informed that district-wise targets have been fixed for the promotion and supply of high-density planting material under the HADP, Revised Modified High-Density Plantation Scheme (RMHDPS), and JKCIP. “An area of 5,500 hectares has been proposed for coverage under high-density plantation in the Union Territory over the next 10 years, subject to resource availability,” he added.
