Amid prevailing lockdown to prevent spread of deadly COVID-19, General Secretary JK Kisan Tehreek (JKKT) has urged the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the availability of fertilizers, pesticides, seed and other necessary equipment for the farmers in all areas.Despite agriculture being exempted from the lockdown, the availability of fertilizers and pesticides has been an issue for the farmers.
Summer season is on the horizon but due to the pandemic, there has been a noticeable disruption in the production and transportation value chain of major agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Despite agriculture being exempted from the lockdown, the sector faced a major setback so-far.
The government should keep in view that the summer crop is not only a key crop cycle for farmers but is equally important for the growth of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy which largely depends on the agricultural and horticulture sectors.
Till now the response of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments has been poor due to which the orchardists and farmers are in panic. Apple and other fruit crop is mainstay of Kashmir’s economy and thousands and thousands of families are dependent on it. Due to non availability of fertilizer, pesticides and seeds, the farmers in J&K would lose crops and the overall crop production would be drastically impacted.
Last year also they suffered immensely first due to the security lockdown imposed in August and then unseasonal heavy snowfall on November 7.
The movement of pesticides and fertilizers has also affected due to the restricted road movement. The other major input for agriculture is pesticides and insecticides. It is imperative to ensure social distancing and other measures by the government to prevent spread of Coronavirus. But a mechanism must be put in place to ensure that farmers carry on their activities without any hindrance.
The concerned departments must keep required fertilizers, pesticides, seed and other necessary equipment available at tehsil and block levels. I also urge the farmers to take proper precautions which include wearing face masks, gloves, apron while spraying pesticides, besides, washing hands, equipment, machines properly after completion of spray and before entering back home
