HANDWARA: The Division of Entomology, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-Kashmir, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Kupwara, organised an awareness and capacity-building programme on the management of Apple Blotch Leaf Miner at Environment Hall, Handwara, on Tuesday.
The programme was held under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) projects “Minimizing Pesticides” and “Organic Farming” and was attended by around 150 apple growers from different horticultural zones of Kupwara district.
Among those present were Professor-cum-Chief Scientist and Programme Coordinator Dr Sajad Mohiuddin Mir, District Horticulture Officer Kupwara Iftikhar Ahmad, Prof Tariq H Askarey, Dr Mudasir Gani, Dr Faisal Ahmad Bhat of KVK Kupwara, Dr Khursheed Habib, Horticulture Development Officers and officials of the Horticulture Department.
Addressing the participants, Dr Sajad Mohiuddin Mir delivered a detailed presentation on the identification, biology, seasonal incidence, economic significance and management of Apple Blotch Leaf Miner. He emphasised the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, including orchard sanitation, conservation of natural enemies, pheromone-based technologies, regular monitoring and need-based use of registered insecticides.
He said timely management of the pest is essential to minimise crop losses and protect the livelihoods of apple growers.
Dr Mudasir Gani demonstrated various technologies and management practices for early detection and effective control of the pest. Live demonstrations on the installation and use of pheromone traps and other monitoring tools were also conducted.
District Horticulture Officer Iftikhar Ahmad, Dr Khursheed Habib and HDO Suhail Ahmad highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts between scientists, extension workers and farmers for effective pest management. They urged growers to follow scientific recommendations and maintain regular interaction with technical experts to improve orchard productivity and health.
The programme also featured an interactive session during which farmers raised field-related issues and received expert guidance from scientists and horticulture officers.
As part of the initiative, extension literature, technical pamphlets on the management of Apple Blotch Leaf Miner and pheromone traps were distributed among participating growers to encourage timely monitoring and adoption of scientific pest management practices.
The participants appreciated the initiative and called for more such awareness and capacity-building programmes in the future.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Horticulture Development Officer Suhail Ahmad, who thanked the scientists, officials, apple growers and other stakeholders for their participation and support in making the event successful.
