Srinagar: Director General Horticulture Kashmir Ajaz Ahmad Bhat along with VC SKUAST-K Dr Nazir Ahmad Ganie Saturday visited Zainpora Shopian.
They were accompanied by Director Extention SKUAST-K, Dil Mohmmad Makdoomi Scientist form SKUAST-K, Chief Horticulture Officer Shopian and Bandipora, Farm Manager, Advanced Centre for Horticulture Development (ACHD) Zainpora and other officers of the Department of Horticulture.
The team visited ACHD Zainpora and adjoining areas in connection with the previous year’s infestation of Leaf Miner pest in the area.
The team extensively visited the departmental farm and adjoining areas and showed its satisfaction over the control measures taken by the department at the departmental farm and likewise advised the orchardists to replicate the same model in their fields to eradicate the pest.
Speaking on the occasion DG Horticulture advised the orchardists not to panic and ensured full cooperation of the Department.
He further directed the field functionaries to utilize all means of extension like awareness camps, posters, print, electronic, and social media to inform the farmers about the managemental practices for controlling the pest.
Moreover, the affected areas were advised to follow the below management practices for control of the pest.
1. Orchardists are advised to regularly monitor and survey their orchards and accordingly report to the department about the severity of the infestation and update the same through the mobile application ‘Apple Doc’ which can be downloaded from google play store.
2. Orchardists are further advised to install yellow sticky traps around the trunk of apple trees.
3. Pheromone traps should be installed on a large scale in the area.

KR Desk