As apple growers are grappling with leaf miner and red mite, the paddy fields in south Kashmir have been hit by bacterial blight disease.
The residents of different areas of Tral sub division said that they were using traditional paddy varieties, which yielded good results, but for the first time they opted for the variety being distributed by the agriculture department.
However, the seedlings start whitening themselves due to which the farmers are very much worried and demand the attention of the agriculture department in this regard.
Abdul Aziz, a farmer from Amirabad Tral said farmers in the area are worried due to the outbreak of the disease, adding that the concerned department should look into it and suggest to farmers how they can get rid of this disease.
They have also sought attention of SKUAST-Kashmir in this regard. An official of the Agriculture department said that there is no need to worry as they have already visited these areas where they have advised farmers to spray fungicide.
He said that this happens as farmers are not following the guidelines of the department and they plant seedlings without looking at gaps and other things, adding that the farmers were asked to plant three lings only while they are planting 10-15 lings due to which the problems arise. He, however, said that if farmers spray fungicide this disease can be controlled.
Another official of the department said that they have written to SKUAST Kashmir in this regard and their team is visiting the area tomorrow following which necessary proceedings can be taken up.
He, however, advised people not to panic and follow advisories of the department in letter and spirit.(KNO)