Srinagar February 14:(KNS)   The Department of Horticulture today initiated a valley wide campaign against the sale of counterfeit and spurious pesticides. Taking the lead Director General Horticulture Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (JKAS) visited Magam, area of district Budgam and inspected various pesticide outlets/stores. He was accompanied by Enforcement wing of the Department.

Furthermore, as per the directions of the DG Horticulture special surprise checks of pesticide outlets/stores/warehouses were held in all the districts of the valley by departmental enforcement wings of the respective district. Expressing his views, DG said that to guard the farmers’ interest on and off the field is the prime objective of the Department and therefore the Department is keeping a close vigil on the movement of inputs like insecticides/pesticides ensuring that farmers get the genuine products which have a major impact on the overall success of the Horticulture Industry. He further added that no unregistered product shall be allowed for sale and any violation in this regard shall strictly be delt with as per THE INSECTICIDE ACT 1968 and the sanctity of the act will be upheld and will be implemented in letter and spirit.

DG Horticulture also visited many High-Density Apple orchards and appreciated the hard work of orchardists and field functionaries of the department. He interacted with the orchardists and patiently listened to their demands and assured them of full possible support in all respect. He instructed the field functionaries of the Department to provide all technical knowhow to the orchardists right from training and pruning to harvesting including thinning, fertigation, nutrient management, pest/disease management etc. Later, Director General visited Armed Police Complex Parihaspora, Pattan. Speaking on the occasion He informed that the Department will start the plantation drive from the said complex in the next week and will provide all the technical help in establishing a model orchard in the premises.(KNS)