Measures to control spread of locust infestation taken in Leh

Srinagar, Aug 3 (UNI) Various pest control measures taken up by the government in Ladakh region have helped to check spread of locust infestation on field crops to a greater extent, Minister for Agriculture Abdul Aziz Zargar said.

He said locust infestation occurred on pastures of Changthang area in Leh distruct during 2005 and has been reported again in the same areas during current season.

However, In Zanaskar area of Kargil district no incidence of the pest was observed during 2005. However, its occurrence was reported during current year and no pest attack was reported before 2005 in both the districts.

Speaking in the Legislative Council today the minister said the locust have been observed in Ronga Areas of Leh district and field crops of Anley, Ronga and Mahay villages causing damages to the pastures and now advancing to field crops.

Locust outbreak was also reported in Zanskar sub division of Kargil during current cropping season, the minister added.

Mr Zargar said on receipt of information of heavy locust infestation in Zanskar sub division, the government constituted a team of officers for on spot inspection, which recommended immediate remedial measures.

The Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir was also involved in the exercise.

Insecticides and equipments for spraying was suppled to the Kargil district amounting to Rs 8.50 lakh.

These measures helped to check the further spread of the problem in other areas of the district.

The minister said that in order to prevent the occurrence of the problem the department of Agriculture has undertaken information dissemination strategy to check pest invasion to new areas.

The minister said that as many as 11180 growers of the state were benefitted under MIS scheme and an amount of Rs 250.53 lakh was spent under it during 2004-05.

He said for Technology Mission the Department of Horticulture had spent Rs 60 lakhs on development of Fruit and vegetable markets during last year.

The directorate has also processed and recommended 22 cases for ''On Farm Storage (Grading Packing Sheds)'' for sanction by the National Horticulture Board, in 2004-05.

The minister said government would consider exemption of interest and penal interest of loans outstanding against fruit growers.

However, they shall have to pay principal amount in easy installments, the minister added.

He said that the agariculture department has made payment of Rs 97.44 lakh to the Custodian Evacuee Properties on account of rent for land of seed farm R S Pora in the year 2004.

The amount included Rs 66.68 lakh as arrears and Rs 30.76 lakh as rent for the period of 2003-04.

He said that the payment has not been made in excess because an amount of Rs 66.68 lakh was paid to the Evacuee Properties Department against rent arrears of Rs 174.71 lakh claimed by the Evacuee Properties Department.

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