Kashmir is majorly an agriculture-dependent region. Apart from agriculture, Kashmir’s economy is highly dependent on Tourism. The snow-capped mountains, serene lakes, and lush green valleys in Kashmir attract a lot of people every year, making it one of the most popular destinations in the Indian subcontinent. As far as agriculture is concerned, the valley is known for its apple orchards, which have been a significant source of income for Kashmiris for decades.
However, not everything is apparently going well, as apple farming in Kashmir is facing a severe challenge in the form of indiscriminate use of pesticides. Farmers use pesticides extensively to protect apple crops from diseases and pests. But the excessive use of these chemicals is causing significant damage to both human health & environment. Moreover, no strict regulations on the use of pesticides in Kashmir have led to the uncontrolled use of these toxic chemicals. This way, it poses a great threat to the region’s overall ecology as well as biodiversity.
Background
The economy of Kashmir is highly dependent on apple farming. Due to suitable soil conditions, sufficient water resources, and a favorable climate, the region is an ideal place for growing apples. During the last decade, this farming has significantly expanded as people started earning more and more profits. However, everything has two sides, and so does apple farming.
According to data from the Horticulture Department of Jammu and Kashmir, the production of apples in the region has increased from 1.8 million metric tons in 2000 to 2.6 million metric tons in 2019. This represents a growth of nearly 44 percent over the last two decades. As apple production increased, more and more apples were being exported to different parts of India and other countries.
Having said that, this growth of apple farming has come at a cost. People are using more and more chemicals to protect their crops from pests and other diseases. These days, apple production is heavily dependent on pesticides which have led to the contamination of water, air, and soil. Not only does it affect the environment, but also the health of the people.
This is why it is critically important to talk about the use of pesticides in apple farming in Kashmir. We must promote sustainable agricultural practices which will be better for both farmers and the environment. Let’s get into more detail about how pesticides are impacting our apple farming.
Impact of Pesticides on the Apple Farming in Kashmir
There are huge side effects of the use of pesticides in apple orchards in Kashmir. Thus, it is very vital to address this issue to ensure the sustainable growth of apple farming in Kashmir. The first negative effect of the use of pesticides is the lower quality of apples. Experts and locals indicate that apples do not have the same aroma that they used to have in the past. These pesticides enter into the apples, reside there, and thereby affect the appearance and taste of apples. This may lead to less demand for Kashmir apples in the future and, thus, lower income for the farmers.
Similarly, the overuse of pesticides leads to the emergence of pesticide-resistant diseases and pests. This always acts as a great threat to the apple farming as farmers are using more and more pesticides each year. This vicious cycle can lead to a problem where pesticides become completely ineffective, and Kashmiri farmers have no other option to protect their crops.
Moreover, the increased use of pesticides is certainly not good for the soil. It leads to lower fertility of apple orchards. Not only do these pesticides kill harmful pests and insects, but the good ones too, which have a critical role in pollination. It also kills other microorganisms and earthworms present in the soil. Because of this, the quality of soil decreases, affecting the overall growth of our apple trees. This vicious cycle will lead to a situation where farmers will only rely on chemical fertilizers which will worsen the situation.
Health Impacts of Pesticides
Apart from affecting the health of the environment, pesticides have a bad influence on the health of people associated directly or indirectly with apple farming. People use which are highly toxic, and they pose serious health risks to farmers, workers, and consumers.
Moreover, farmers and workers who apply pesticides are the ones that are most affected. They are exposed to pesticides through skin contact, inhalation, & ingestion. This can cause numerous health problems, including respiratory problems, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, & even cancer.
Furthermore, consumers who eat the apples are also at risk too. Because of the phenomenon of biomagnification, the residues of pesticides can accumulate in the human body at higher concentrations than other apples itself. This leads to cause several health problems, including cancer, neurological disorders, & reproductive problems.
Why Nobody Talks About It
We know that the indiscriminate use of pesticides is associated with serious environmental and health concerns. However, not many people talk about it because of many reasons.
The first reason is that apple farming is a major contributor to Kashmir’s economy, and if any negative publicity occurs, it can harm the reputation of the trade. This is why people, as well as the government, are a bit reluctant to address this genuine problem and take any timely action.
Secondly, the farmers who grow the apples are often not aware of the harmful effects of pesticides. They rely on the advice of pesticide dealers and government officials, who often promote the use of pesticides as the only solution to pest and disease problems.
Similarly, there is a lack of awareness among consumers about the harmful effects of pesticides. They are often unaware of the residues of pesticides on the apples they consume and the health issues that come along.
Recommendations:
Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices: Experts must educate farmers on the proper use of pesticides, and organic farming must be promoted. We all know there is a huge demand for organic products these days. So, farmers should use pesticides in normal quantities or in a way that the environment or people are not harmed. However, the best thing is to promote sustainable agriculture using organic farming, which has meager effects on the environment.
Strict rules and regulations must be framed: There must be strict rules and regulations for the use of pesticides by farmers. It is the responsibility of the government to form rules and regulations and completely monitor the use of pesticides in the apple farming. This will help lower the indiscriminate use of pesticides and lower the overall negative effects.
Promoting alternative pest control methods: There are many alternative methods available for controlling pests. However, our farmers are not aware of it. Some of the methods include intercropping, crop rotation, as well as biological control methods. This will certainly help to reduce the use of pesticides in our apple orchards. Apart from helping to manage the pests, this method of using biological control agents is very good for promoting the overall biodiversity of Kashmir.
Raise awareness: There is a lack of awareness among local masses about the negative effects of pesticides. The issue has not received significant attention, and organizations must come together to raise awareness about this serious issue. Experts must go to farmers, talk to them, and help save the environment and human health. In this regard, both print and digital media has a great role to play.
Scientific Research: Limited studies are available on pesticide use and its impact on apple farming in Kashmir. Researchers from universities and other organizations must come forward to study this issue in detail. Doing this will help farmers to build strong strategies for controlling the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Research can help us find alternative ways to prevent pests from spreading, such as biological control methods.
Conclusion
In summary, we must know that the indiscriminate use of pesticides is not a sustainable way to combat pests. The use of pesticides can affect the quality of apples, which has the potential to reduce the demand for Kashmiri apples. People are looking for more and more organic products now. So, using pesticides to control pests is not a suitable option. They can affect the environment by also killing beneficial microorganisms, insects, and earthworms. Moreover, it has an ill effect on the health of workers, especially the ones who are directly associated with apple farming.
So, it is necessary to address this issue, and the government must take serious steps. Awareness must be raised among the masses, and more research should be conducted. Farmers must be made aware of the fact that pesticides are harmful to the environment as well as the health of human beings. Promoting pesticide-free apples is a dream for many Kashmiri, which, if comes true, will take Kashmiri apple farming to new levels.
References
https://www.greaterkashmir.com/editorial-page-2/pesticides-will-destroy-kashmir
https://horticultureresearch.net/jah/2020_22_3_220_225.PDF
http://risingkashmir.com/substandard-pesticides-a-threat-to-kashmiri-apple-industry
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