An Overall Scenario of Pesticides Business Pattern in Kashmir: A Special Reference to Apple Crop

This study has looked into the existing pesticide business scenario in the apple growing region of Kashmir valley. The value of all pesticides consumed in the state was estimated at 509 million, of which 38.31 per cent was FIL National Company and rest being of other companies. For the fungicides usage in J&K, the highest share was contributed by Dodine (13.38 per cent) followed by Difenoconazole (8.03 per cent) and Propineb (5.06 per cent). The total insecticide share including acaricides was found to be 49 million. Chlorpyriphos with the trade name of Coroban manufactured and marketed by Coromandel tops the list with an overall share of 9.18 per cent (4.5 million) and the spray of dormant horticultural mineral oil in the apple was estimated to be 89 lakh litres amounting to 123.73 million. Based on findings, the study emphasized an effective regulation of pesticide trade through strict legislation in order prevent marketing of spurious/sub-standard agro-chemicals.