The abundant use of pesticides in our orchards are warming signals that we should reduce the chemical use and adopt biological methods of controlling agricultural enemies before our environment is contaminated.

Nature has bestowed Kashmir rich bio-diversity and some incredible fruit crops which are barely found in rest of world. Apple, almond , walnut, cheery, apricot etc are abundantly grown in Kashmir as cash crops because of the fertile lands, favourable climate and natural water resources allows the valley to grow these fruit crops. Horticultural crops in Kashmir are grown in profusion and the flow of production is increasing day by day. Fruit production increases due to the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that control the enemies of the fruit crops. The insecticides which are commonly used in our orchards are highly toxic to a wide range of animals including humans, birds, the population of pollinators like honey bees and other beneficial pests. We are also aware with the problems of environmental degradation caused by pesticides used in agriculture. Since source of biocides are a component of the ecosystem, there are no environmental problems. As their activity is limited in most cases to the target organizations there is no disturbance of any kind in the ecological balance of nature.

It is inconceivable that any farmer would wish to harm these natural populations which are always directly or indirectly in service of humans. It is regrettable therefore that such is indeed this case. The indiscriminate use of fungicides and pesticides to our fruit crops has led to the decline of many birds and beneficial insect populations. This is particularly in Kashmir valley during the apple season. Apple is the cash fruit of Kashmir commands a better price in the markets but only if it has not been nibbled at by diseases and insects. Thus the incentive to use fungicides and pesticides is understandable. To reduce loss due to pest attacks and diseases, the fruit growers use almost every types of pesticides namely; synthetic Pyrethroids, Endosulphan, Chloropyrephos, Carbaryl, Demicron, Quinalphos, Monocrotophos etc and fungicides namely; Dithane, Mencozeb, Carboxin, Captan etc often these are sprayed without proper care. Pesticides and fungicides have unintended fall out on the natural population especially on birds. During the apple season, many birds of various species die every year.

Over the years this has taken a study tool in the apple growing districts of Kashmir, birds are vanishing from the orchards. The apple business is one of the most important businesses in the Sopur of district Baramulla and Shopian district. The apple varieties of valley are famous throughout the world for their taste and quality.

Insect feeding on the sap of the apple tree or buds die instantly during the spraying of these pesticides. So do birds feeding on the dead insects. After eating a few poisoned insects, the birds become drowsy and are not able to fly. They fall easily prey to stray dogs and cats. Birds that pollinate the apple flowers are poisoned more directly. While the residual effect of the persistent insecticides is a desirable character and most farmers would like to use such insecticides to get economy, it is the pesticides residues which are at the root cause of all harms attributed to insecticides. Also the insecticides pollute the environment and accumulate in biological magnification affecting humans at the terminal end of the food chain.

Despite of all these facts the researchers, scientist, planners, etc should join their hands with farmers regarding how to tackle these problems. They should make an effort collectively with farmers how to reduce environmental pollution and how to minimize the use of chemicals in their farming system.

We shall have to combat crop enemies with technical skill by using effective methods of control. So that integrated biological control is the remedial measure to eliminate or restrict the activities of insect, pests and diseases.

Biocides are environmentally safe because they do not cause socio-economic, political and environmental problems encountered very often with chemical pesticides.

(Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Shah is Editor, Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences Published from J & K. Feedback at drshahajaz@gmail.com)

Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST