Srinagar: In his recently concluded episode of the public outreach programme ‘Awaam ki Awaaz’, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, applauded Abdul Shakoor Nengroo, a local lad from Kulgam for suggesting measures to curb the availability of poor quality pesticides in markets of J&K.
The LG has praised the boy for his concern and acumen in propounding the measures to check the quality of these chemicals. The boy had offered the action plan for making good quality pesticides/fungicides available to farmers in the market.
Shakoor suggested that most orchardists do not have any knowledge of the means to gauge the quality of pesticides/fungicides to be used in their orchards. He said that while buying pesticides and fungicides farmers do not know if it is listed or not due to a lack of knowledge and awareness which has an ill impact on their crop.
He claimed that due to limited pesticide testing facilities and huge price variations, the scenario has become frustrating for a common farmer.
Shakoor had suggested that the horticulture department should take the charge of distributing or selling the pesticides to farmers which will have benefits for the farmers. He said that the move will check the availability of substandard pesticides in the market.
He further assured that this would also check that no price variations take place as the department will fix the rate and would publish the same at the start of the season (in March). He is hopeful that it will eliminate the proxy sellers like fruit commission agents who do not possess the expertise in the trade.
Shakoor is grateful that his suggestions have been considered by the LG himself and is sure that they would definitely have a positive impact on the ground.
