SHOPIAN: A mass awareness cum farmer-scientist interaction programme on management of apple blotch leaf miner disease was today organised by the Division of Entomology, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST, Kashmir in collaboration with the Horticulture Department, Shopian at Meeting Hall of Mini-Secretariat Shopian.
The Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Shopian, Dr. Nasir Ahmed Lone was the chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the ADDC urged the orchardists to actively collaborate with the department and research institutions to stay updated on the latest advancements on Pest management techniques and encouraged them to reach out to the department of horticulture for new guidelines to follow.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Zakir Hussain Faaz said that the orchardists should come forward, adopt latest technology and follow the advisory given by experts in letter and spirit to get rid of the disease which has damaged their orchards.
The Joint Director, Horticulture, Kashmir said that the training to the officers and officials of the department will be provided regarding the identification of different stages of the pest where the pest infestation can be controlled to the maximum possible level.
He said that the directorate of Horticulture Kashmir runs a mass campaign about the Apple Leaf Blotch Miner disease.
Head Division of Entomology, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST, Dr. Manzoor Ahmed Parray threw light on the measures to be adopted for controlling the disease and stressed that all the institutions like department of Horticulture, SKUAST Kashmir and department of Agriculture should work in coordination for the well-being of the farming community.
Interactive sessions with farmers were also held on the occasion.
Head KVK, Shopian, Dr. Zaffar Badri, CHO, CAO, experts from SKUAST Kashmir and other concerned officers and officials were present.