SRINAGAR: A team of scientists namely Prof. Zakir H Khan, Dr. Abu Manzar (Division of Entomology ,Faculty of Horticulture) and Dr. S. Khurseed (AARC, Balpora, Shopain) of the, SK University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir accompanied with Director Horticulture, Kashmir to Zainapora and adjoining infested areas, by blotch leaf miner on 28-05- 2022.
The visiting team had an interaction with the farmers at the common Facility Centre Zainapora. The interaction was attended by about 200 orchardists. During the interaction, various issues and grievances of the farmers especially leaf miner infestation were noted and assured them for possible steps to address them in future. During interaction the farmers however expressed the concern about the unavailability of recommended insecticides in the market and also desired insecticide application to be at community basis, for timely and fruitful management of the leaf miner .The field survey and observation indicated a total adoption of Ad hoc advisory by the SKUAST-K very encouraging in managing the pest, which was also evidenced by the visit of Director Horticulture and the team of experts to orchards in ACDH, Zainpora , where adoption of strategy calendar was followed in toto. On the contrary the farmers who failed to adopt the management strategy by the University showed the presence of the pest in their orchards. The Director of Horticulture however advised the orchardists not to panic and assured them of full cooperation from the Department and SKUAST-K in controlling the spread and eradication of the pest from the area.

KR Desk