Srinagar, : The government has taken serious cognizance of premature and extraordinary fruit fall reported in apple orchards of Zainapora and other areas of Shopian district and certain areas of Anantnag district.
In response to a Calling Attention Notice from MLA Showkat Hussain Ganai, Minister for Agriculture Production, Javid Ahmad Dar acknowledged significant losses for local fruit growers in Zainapora orchards,. he announced the formation of a Joint Enquiry Committee, which includes the Director of Horticulture Kashmir and the Director of Law Enforcement, to investigate the issue from various perspectives. The committee’s preliminary report was submitted on September 21, 2026, while a comprehensive report is still pending. As part of the investigation, multidisciplinary teams from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology conducted field inspections in affected areas, surveying 61 orchards across 37 villages. The findings indicated a progressive increase in fruit drop, with losses escalating from 30 percent to nearly 90 percent in some cases. The Law Enforcement Wing has also been active in verifying the distribution and sale of a specific fungicide, “Super M-45,” linked to the issue, leading to the seizure of 238 kilograms of a problematic batch. The inquiry revealed significant regulatory discrepancies related to the fungicide’s packaging, including issues with the QR code and manufacturing details. Legal actions have been initiated under the Insecticides Act, and an FIR has been registered to investigate the source and supply chain of the affected product. The government is conducting an orchard-wise assessment of crop losses, with initial reports indicating damage to 6,593 trees and an estimated financial loss of around ₹4.42 crore in District Shopian. Minister Dar emphasized the urgency of completing the investigation and ensuring that affected growers receive necessary support and advisories for orchard management. He assured that the government is committed to addressing the hardships faced by fruit growers and will evaluate compensation and financial assistance based on the findings of the ongoing assessments and investigations. The Minister reiterated that accountability will be enforced in accordance with the law once the investigations are concluded.
