Leaf Miner, Aphid outbreak triggers uproar in J&K Assembly

Srinagar, Oct 29: The outbreak of Aphids and Leaf miners in Kashmir’s apple orchards on Wednesday triggered a heated discussion in the Legislative Assembly after Independent MLA from Shopian, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, accused the government of failing to contain the pest attack.

During the Question Hour, Kullay alleged that the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) had failed to respond effectively to the outbreak despite repeated incidents over the past two to three years.

“Nothing is being done to address this issue. Our university has not taken any concrete steps to control the disease,” Kullay said in the House.

Responding sharply, Minister for Horticulture Javed Ahmad Dar defended the institutions, saying that “nobody has the right to demean our institutions functioning across Jammu and Kashmir.”

“Our scientists at SKUAST-K are working professionally. All necessary measures are being taken to check the spread of Leaf Miner and Aphids in the orchards,” Dar said, adding that criticism should not undermine the efforts of dedicated researchers.

The minister said that the horticulture sector has made remarkable progress over the last two decades, largely due to the contribution of scientists and researchers at SKUAST-K.

“I accept there has been an outbreak, but I will not accept that our institutions are not working,” he asserted. Dar also said the government has decided to constitute a separate enforcement squad to check the inflow of spurious pesticides into Kashmir.

“It is very easy to criticise but difficult to deliver,” the minister remarked.

In a written reply, the government said that the Leaf Miner pest was first detected nearly five years ago and has intensified over the past few years due to changing climatic conditions.

“Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns have contributed to the resurgence and increased severity of aphid infections in various parts of the valley,” the reply stated.

The government said research institutions have not yet determined whether the pest entered from outside or was a dormant species that re-emerged due to climatic mutations.

“The Horticulture Department, in collaboration with SKUAST-K, undertakes regular field surveillance, pest monitoring, and integrated pest management to effectively control such outbreaks,” the reply added.

It further noted that the Leaf Miner pest spreads rapidly, requiring an integrated pest management approach that combines the strategic use of insecticides, biological controls, and community participation.

“The department, along with SKUAST-K, has implemented a coordinated pest management mechanism involving collective participation of orchardists, which has proven effective in managing pest resurgence,” the minister informed the House.