SKUAST-K holds awareness drive on sustainable pesticide use in Pulwama

Pulwama, Nov  19: The Division of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Horticulture (FoH), SKUAST-K, Shalimar, conducted a one-day awareness and farmer-scientist interaction programme on the judicious use of pesticides under the HADP-18 project, “Minimization of Pesticide Use in Agriculture.”

The event, held at Arihal Pulwama, was organized in collaboration with the Departments of Horticulture and Agriculture to promote advanced pest and disease management strategies among farmers.

The programme aimed to educate growers on reducing unnecessary pesticide applications through sustainable practices, including orchard design, spray mechanisation, variety selection, and cluster orcharding. SKUAST-K scientists delivered lectures on innovative techniques for managing pests and diseases in agricultural and horticultural crops.

Around 100 farmers participated in the event, engaging actively with experts and receiving hands-on guidance. As part of the initiative, pheromone traps were distributed to apple growers for monitoring and controlling apple leaf blotch miner infestations.

The programme was attended by prominent faculty members and experts, including Dr Tariq Rasool Rather, Dr Wasim Yousuf Mir, Dr Shafqat Shaban, and representatives from the line departments. This initiative aimed to empower farmers with eco-friendly pest management practices, fostering a more sustainable approach to pesticide use in agriculture.