SRINAGAR: Central Integrated Pest Management Centre, Srinagar, Govt. of India, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the State Horticulture Department, and SKUAST-K, conducted a two-day human resource development programme on ‘Apple Blotch Leaf Miner’ at Conference Hall of Vice Chancellor Secretariat, SKUAST-K.
The two-day awareness/training programme was inaugurated in the presence of Director Horticulture, Zahoor Ahmed Bhat; Director Research SKUAST-K, Dr Haroon Naik; Joint Director (E), IPM Division, DPPQ&S Dr Sunita Pandey; Deputy Director (PP), RCIPMC Faridabad, Dr Vandana Pandey; Assistant Director (PP) CIPMC Jammu, Dr Mithilesh Kumar Arya; Prof. & Head Division of Entomology, Dr Manzoor Ahmed Parray; Prof & Head Division of Pathology, Dr Shaheen Kauser and other officials of Horticulture Department and Senior Scientists of SKUAST-K.
Initially opening remark on the programme was given by Dr. Manzoor Ahmed Parray, followed by a detailed lecture given on the Emerging Challenges of Insect ABLM by Dr. Sunita Pandey, wherein thread light was shed on the management of fruit crops to prevent the threat of devastating disease of leaf miner.
Director Horticulture Kashmir appreciated the initiative and urged that we take coordinated programmes and measures to control and eradicate this disease to safeguard our fruit crop. The first step towards this direction is to reach out to the farming community of the Kashmir Division and provide technical consultation and awareness to check the spread of leaf miners.
Dr. Malik Mukhtar, Associate Professor of Entomology discussed different generations of ABLM and Ad Hoc Advisory issued by SKUAST-K in collaboration with the Horticulture Department from time to time which further help farmers to take preventive measures to control this insect pest.
The programme was attended by a number of farmers wherein they were made aware by Dr Vandana Pandey regarding the Safe and Judicious use of Pesticides. She elaborated in detail on how to use pesticides safely.
Director Research SKUAST-K, Dr. Haroon Naik also appreciated the Department for conducting such programmes for the welfare of farmers and asked the farmers to come forward to take maximum benefits from the departmental schemes.
On the second day of the programme, a field visit was conducted to the apple orchards of Block Kakapora, District Pulwama, and Block Zainapora, District Shopian. During the visit, farmers were provided awareness about the various diseases of apples and how to take preventive measures i.e., IPM-based to control Apple leaf blotch Miners in Kashmir Division.
