Srinagar March 17 (KNS)  Director General Horticulture Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (JKAS) on Wednesady extensively toured South Kashmir where he took stock of availability of Horticulture Mineral Oil (HMO) and inspected scores of warehouses located in South Kashmir particularly in Shopian District.

 

According to a statement issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), The visit was in the backdrop of a campaign of controlling the sale/distribution of spurious and unauthorized pesticides and Horticulture Mineral Oil in the valley. During the inspection about 13600 litters of HMO was found stocked in contravention of the provisions of The Insecticides Act, 1968 and rules made thereafter. Taking cognizance of this, notices under relevant sections of The Insecticides Act, 1968 were issued to stop the distribution, sale and use of the said stock.

 

Speaking on the occasion Director General said that the Department will ensure that the supply, dumping and distribution of Tree Spray Oil (TSO)/Horticulture Mineral Oil (HMO) will not take place from those agencies which are not dully authorized/registered with the Central Insecticides Board. He also instructed field agencies of the Department to keep close vigil on sale of Pesticides and HMO, so that a farmer is saved from damage.

 

 He also informed that the Department is going to organize a Horti-spring festival-2022 w.e.f. 21/03/2022 at Centre of Excellence, Zawoora which will last upto 15th of April, 2022. The festival will encompass fruit Show, plant show, Horti-Machinery exhibition andplantation drive. Showcasing of flooring of Apricot, Cherry, Plum, Peach etc. will also be the main attraction of the festival. DG appealed the general public to participate in the festival. (KNS)