Hope Herboliv repellent shows positive results, say officers from SKUAST-K, agri dept

Pampore: In response to recent porcupine attacks causing huge damage to Saffron fields in Konibal Village of Pampore, officials from the Agriculture Department and SKUAST-Kashmir on Monday carried out a targeted spray on the affected fields to safeguard them from further harm.
Officials told Kashmir Reader that they have initiated a trial with an organic repellent spray by the Agriculture team and SKUAST-Kashmir, along with a private company. This trial aims to mitigate the damage to Saffron fields caused by porcupines.
The team of officials including Senior Scientist and head of Research Station Seed and Spices SKUAST-K Dusoo Pampore Dr Bashir Ahmad Alaie, District Agriculture Officer Shahnawaz Ahmad Shah and other officials, Saffron growers head Abdul Majeed Wani also part of the drive, they said.
The proactive measures taken by authorities highlight their commitment to protecting agricultural assets and supporting local farmers in mitigating losses due to porcupine attacks. As the anti-porcupine spray is applied, farmers are optimistic about a positive impact on preserving their Saffron crops.
Kashmir Reader highlighted the ongoing issue of porcupine attacks in Konibal village where significant damage was caused to numerous Saffron fields. Since then, the authorities have been closely monitoring the situation and working towards sustainable solutions.
Speaking to Kashmir Reader, Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a farmer from Konibal, highlighted the significant damage caused by porcupines in the area. He expressed concern about potential ongoing losses if this issue persists. He said the effectiveness of the spray in preventing porcupines from returning to these Saffron fields will be assessed in the coming days. The outcome will be determined later; for now, it’s too early to draw conclusions, he said.
Senior Scientist at the Research Station for Seed and Spices, SKUAST-K at Dusoo Pampore, Dr Bashir Ahmad Alaie, said, “Today, we are here in Konibal village, conducting a demonstration of our product, Herboliv Animal Repellent. This organic product contains a type of bad smell repellent. We have sprayed it in the Saffron fields today so that porcupines find the smell unpleasant. After the spray, we expect porcupines to move away from the area.”
Today, we are making an effort to demonstrate how this could be beneficial for us and seeking feedback from farmers to determine its effectiveness, Dr Alaie said, adding, “The claim so far is that this herbal product is applied in other states in the country as a repellent to keep away wild animals. We will also assess whether it serves as a growth promoter and if it proves effective and beneficial for our Saffron cultivation.”
District Agriculture Officer Pulwama Shahnawaz Ahmad Shah, said a comprehensive assessment is underway to identify areas with the most significant damage.
“In response, the Director of Agriculture in Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal has arranged a trial using an organic animal repellent spray. Today, we applied this spray in collaboration with the Agriculture team, Saffron Research Station SKUAST-K Dusoo Pampore, and a private company. The organic repellent spray was used in the Saffron fields,” he said. “We will observe the effects of this spray regularly, monitor the movement of porcupines and record the extent of damage. After assessing its impact, we will make recommendations and work towards reducing and eliminating the damage caused by porcupines in this area.”
The officer said the repellent is entirely organic, ensuring no damage to the crops. “It has been tested successfully in regions like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where there are issues with animal attacks, including monkeys. We have conducted a trial here based on its success in those areas, and we will observe its effectiveness,” he said, adding, “We hope for a positive impact.”

BILAL HABIB