Apple farmers in Kashmir suffer as subpar pesticides slip through checks

Apple farmers in Kashmir suffer as subpar pesticides slip through checks

  • 24.03.2025 05:57
  • thehindubusinessline.com
  • Keywords: Pesticides, Fertilizers, Agriculture

Apple farmers in Kashmir face severe losses due to substandard pesticides flooding markets, despite government quality checks. The region reports higher non-standard pesticide and fertilizer samples compared to Jammu, highlighting enforcement gaps.

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Context

Analysis of Text: Apple Farmers in Kashmir Suffer Due to Subpar Pesticides

Key Findings:

  • Pesticide Testing Results:

    • From January 2024 to February 2025, 1 out of 384 pesticide samples tested in the Jammu division were non-standard.
    • In contrast, 57 out of 1,654 pesticide samples tested in the Kashmir division were found to be non-standard.

  • Fertilizer Testing Results:

    • Out of 317 fertilizer samples, 28 were non-standard in the Kashmir division.
    • No non-standard fertilizers were reported in the Jammu division during this period.

Market Trends:

  • Substandard pesticides and fertilizers are disproportionately prevalent in the Kashmir Valley compared to Jammu, despite similar regulatory mechanisms in place.
  • The gateway checkpoint at Lower Munda is supposed to verify consignment documents and source authenticity before allowing products into Kashmir.

Business Impact:

  • Heavy Losses for Apple Farmers:
    • In 2020, a scab epidemic caused by fake pesticides led to damage of over 80% of apple produce, downgrading apples from first-rate to 'B' and 'C' grades.
    • This resulted in significant financial losses for farmers, reducing their income and market competitiveness.

Competitive Dynamics:

  • The presence of subpar products creates an unfair competitive environment, undermining legitimate businesses that adhere to quality standards.
  • Industry Cooperation:
    • Peerzada Shabir Ahmad, president of the Pesticides and Fertilizer Dealers and Distributors Association, emphasized cooperation with law enforcement agencies to prevent the sale of fake products.

Long-Term Effects:

  • Repeated incidents of substandard pesticides could damage Kashmir's reputation as a premium apple producer, impacting exports and market share.
  • Farmers may shift to alternative crops or reduce production due to lack of trust in available pesticides.

Regulatory Gaps:

  • Despite enforcement mechanisms (including batch-wise testing, random sampling, and district-level monitoring), non-standard products continue to enter the market.
  • Potential gaps in enforcement, quality control, or market regulation need urgent attention to prevent further damage to the apple farming industry.