Srinagar: In the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday, Member Legislative Assembly Pulwama Waheed Para raised serious concerns over the impact of substandard pesticides on Kashmir’s farmers and apple industry, urging the government to act immediately.
“The use of low-quality pesticides is severely damaging crop yields and quality, especially in the apple sector, which is the backbone of our economy,” Waheed Para said as per news agency JKNS, while participating in the discussion on grants for the horticulture and agriculture departments.
Calling for stronger regulation, he demanded the creation of an “Enforcement Directorate within the Horticulture Department to ensure strict quality control of pesticides and protect farmers from exploitation.”
Para also stressed the need for policies that support farmers through access to quality inputs, training on safe pesticide usage, and holding those selling substandard chemicals accountable.
“Our farmers deserve fair pricing, sustainable farming support, and long-term solutions that safeguard their livelihoods and Kashmir’s agriculture,” he said, concluding his speech with a call for urgent government intervention. (JKNS)
