CPI (M) State Secretary Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami Tuesday expressed dismay over government’s apathetic attitude for not surveying the damages caused to farmers due to untimely snowfall and hailstorm across the valley. The CPI (M) leader has also taken exception to non-availability of fungicides in the market that are prescribed by the Shalimar Agriculture University. In a statement issued Tarigami asserted that despite the fact that horticulture is the backbone of rural economy in J&K and more so in Kashmir valley; the state has not taken the fruit industry seriously and has not provided any incentives and support system to the fruit growers who are keeping the industry alive by their own efforts.
Not to talk of compensation, the farmers say that the government is yet to constitute teams for surveying the damages caused by the recent untimely and heavy snowfall in Kashmir. Besides the snowfall, the hailstorm has caused severe damages orchards and other standing crops in south Kashmir particularly in Kulgam and Anantnag districts,” the CPI (M) leader said, while inviting attention of the administration. He said that in its various recommendations, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST) Shalimar had prescribed various fungicides but unfortunately these prescribed fungicides are not available to farmers in the market. “There is sheer negligence on part of the administration, regarding the availability of quality fertilizers and various agro-chemicals; urgently required by the orchardists of the Kashmir, as the new fruit season has already begun,” Tarigami remarked.
The CPI (M) leader also asked the administration to keep available all the varieties of quality fertilizers in the required quantities in all the target areas and maintain the supply of insecticides, fungicides and other such chemicals, without any further delay.“The concerned departments should ensure quality control since the spurious and even harmful fertilizers and chemicals are being sold in the market, the party affirmed.” He said the State being primarily an agrarian economy, the government is duty bound to facilitate the farmers and orchardists in every possible way to boost the economy and protect the interests of the majority of the people associated with it both directly and indirectly, it observed.Tarigami also called for tightening noose around manufacturers of sub standard pesticides by effective monitoring and demanded availability of chemicals, manures, hybrid seeds and other agriculture inputs to the farmers.