Srinagar,26-Feb;Department Horticulture Kashmir successfully conducted a valley wide drive against the sale of counterfeit and spurious pesticides with the support of Divisional Administration. The said drive was conduct in the backdrop of UT Governments policy of increasing farmers’ income by providing them standard pesticides/fertilizers and curbing the influx of spurious versions of these inputs.Taking the lead Director General Horticulture Kashmir, Mr. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (JKAS) visited district Pulwama and Budgam and inspected various pesticide outlets/stores. He was accompanied by the Enforcement wing of the Department. Furthermore, special squads were also constituted in each district for the same purpose and were supported by the officials from Revenue and Kisan Vikas Kendras (KVKs).Expressing his views, DG said that the mass drive was conducted to guard the farmers’ interest on and off the field. He further added that the Horticulture sector is the backbone of the economy, therefore the Department is keeping a close vigil on the movement of inputs like pesticides/fertilizers ensuring that farmers get the genuine products. Giving details of today’s drive, He said that hundreds of pesticide/fertilizer outlets were inspected throughout the length and breadth of the Valley and subsequently samples were also taken for further analysis.He further added that no unregistered product shall be allowed for sale and any violation in this regard shall strictly be dealt with as per THE INSECTICIDE ACT 1968 and the rules made thereafter. He also advised the orchardists to use pesticides recommended by the Department and Agriculture University and only after consulting the experts from these institutions. He enjoined upon the pesticide dealers to properly display the rate lists and sell only genuine products.He further added that the campaign against the sale of counterfeit and spurious pesticides will continue in future also and for the convenience of growers a Helpline Number has been established at Directorate of Horticulture Kashmir, Rajbagh, Srinagar i.e., 0194-2311484.(CNS)
