The research conducted by SKUAST Kashmir on such apples only attests to this, which says the day is not far when these would become the first choice of preference for different countries.
“Though the research has been conducted in a very small pocket for two years and it’s still in progress, the result so far has been encouraging,” I/C Associate Director Research, Regional Research Station Wadura, Sopore, Mohammad Qasim Sheikh told PTI on phone.
“Cost-wise, it’s (homoeo organic farming) not only cheap for treating scab, alteraneria, flyspeak diseases of apples, but eco-friendly and free from hazardous and residual affects.
Now, we will conduct research in different areas under different climatic conditions,” he added.
In all this, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir T P Singh played a critical role in taking things forward, Sheikh said.
It all began when Vimases Charitable Trust of Vrindaban developed some homoeo organic compounds as an alternative to insecticides and pesticides. Enthused by the results in UP, the trust picked apple as its next target.
“I?decided to develop an alternative to insecticides and pesticides for apple crop in the form of Homeo Amrit, Homeo Suda Plus, Homeo Amrit Plus, Moksha and Control (all patentised) as these are cheap, with no side-affects. Homoeo organic farming may prove a boon for apple growers,” Swami Parmanand Maharaj, President of the Trust, said.
In spite of Kashmir producing 12-13 tonnes of apple every year, the quality of the fruit still leaves much to be desired. On top of that, diseases like scab, alteraneria, sooty, blotch, powdery mildew and the like take a heavy toll on production.
“The homoeo organic compounds counter the risk of hazardous affect of chemical spray on apple garden and ensure quality production,” Swami reasoned.
A top Agriculture Ministry official, Dr D Kumar, feels that apples grown through homoeo organic farming will boost exports and improve financial conditions of apple growers.
PTI