Declare apple’s foliar disease an epidemic, says Theog MLA
Shimla, July 18
Kuldeep Rathore, the Congress MLA from Theog Assembly constituency, has demanded that the widespread foliar disease in apple orchards should be declared an epidemic and help should be sought from the Central Government to curb it.
Rathore, who is also an AICC spokesperson, said the alternaria disease had taken the form of an epidemic in many areas of the state. “In some areas, 95 per cent orchards have been affected by the disease. The state government should talk to the Centre and take urgent steps to control it,” he said.
Rathore said the situation was as serious as in 1982-83, when the fungal disease, known as scab, had attacked the apple plants. “The government should understand the seriousness of the situation and take steps to control the disease,” said Rathore.
He added that although the Horticulture Department had sent its cteams to the affected areas, research was needed to eradicate the disease completely.
Rathore said questions were being raised on the quality and efficacy of the pesticides available in the market, adding that the quality of these pesticides should be constantly monitored. He said the imported apple planting material should be quarantined as per the rules before it is distributed among the farmers.
“The government and the Horticulture Department have to ensure that diseases are not imported along with the planting material. If this happens, the already under stress apple cultivation will become unsustainable in the state,” said the Theog MLA.
