Srinagar/April,29: Minister for Horticulture, Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari, has called for strict compliance with manufacturing guidelines issued by the Horticulture Department and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST).
He said it in a meeting with representatives of pesticide and insecticide manufacturers convened here Saturday. Secretary, Horticulture Department, M H Malik, Director Horticulture and other concerned officials also attended the meeting.
While appreciating the benefits derived from the use of pesticides in the horticulture sector, the Minister said excessive use of pesticides have resulted in serious implications for health humans and the environment. He stressed on the need to sensitize dealers and stockists of pesticide companies as well as to make the farmers aware of various pros and cons of use of pesticides and of its scientific utilization.
The representatives were also asked to ensure uniform pricing of their products across the state.
On the occasion, the Minister said a comprehensive horticulture policy, which will cover all aspects of the sector and give a roadmap for catalyzing a horticulture revolution, is being formulated with inputs from experts in the State. He also said a large-scale intervention from the Horticulture Department in terms of scientific inputs, selection of plants, marketing and promotion recommendations and others related measures will follow one the policy is formulated.
During the meeting, it was given out that Government has established two insecticide testing labs to ensure strict compliance to related guidelines, adding that the companies which violate the norms will be penalized and their licenses will be forfeited. It was also said spurious pesticides will also be weeded out with the help from SKUAST experts.
