The government of India has linked the recent increase in the Leaf Miner pest in Kashmir's apple orchards to changing climatic conditions. Officials confirmed that the pest, first detected nearly five years ago, has intensified over the past three years due to higher temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.
In a written reply to a starred question by MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay, the Agriculture Production Department (Horticulture Sector) stated that "due to recent climatic changes, particularly rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, there has been a notable resurgence and increased severity of aphid infestations across the Valley." The department noted that it is still unclear whether the pest was introduced from outside or existed locally in a dormant state that re-emerged through mutation linked to climate shifts. Research institutions continue to study the pest's origin.
The government said that pest monitoring, field surveillance, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs have been strengthened in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir. The department added that the Leaf Miner's "potential for rapid horizontal spread" requires coordinated management using bio-control agents, insecticides, and community participation.
On calls for large-scale aerial spraying, the government clarified that "blanket spraying is not recommended" by research institutions due to environmental concerns, small landholdings, and the absence of suitable ultra-low-volume formulations. The administration said it would continue to act on advisories issued by SKUAST-K, the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
The reply also detailed that over the past two years, 1.55 million fruit plants, mainly high-density apple varieties such as Gala and Red Delicious, were imported from Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey through empanelled private agencies. These imports were cleared by the Ministry of Agriculture's Exim Committee under quarantine regulations.
The government acknowledged the sector's reliance on imported planting material and said that domestic nurseries would take nearly ten years to meet local demand. Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP), efforts are underway to establish Mother Orchards, Rootstock Banks, and Plant Propagation Units in multiple districts.
For 2025–26, Shopian district, a major apple-growing hub in Kashmir, has been assigned a target of 30 hectares under high-density plantation, contributing to a wider goal of covering 5,500 hectares over the next decade. The government added that while no subsidies are provided for pesticides or fertilizers, 50% financial support of up to US$600 per unit is available for vermicompost production to encourage organic farming.
Source: Daily Excelsior
