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| Lab-will-help-to-curb-sale-of-spurious-pesticides-Basharat-Bukhari |
SRINAGAR,
AUGUST 09: Minister for Horticulture Syed
Basharat Bukhari and Minister for Education Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today
inaugurated Pesticide Testing Laboratory at Directorate of Horticulture
Kashmir.
Minister of
State for Horticulture and Education, Priya Sethi and Vice Chairmen
Horticulture Development Board Abdul Salam Reshi were also present on the
occasion.
Built at a
cost of Rs 35 lakh, the laboratory is equipped with three system technology
which includes Gas Liquid Chromatography, Volumetric Analyses and Spectrophotometer.
It was informed that currently twenty molecules are being tested in the
laboratory.
Further, it
was given out that to test rest of the molecules found in pesticides,
laboratory required installation of High Performance Liquid Chromatography and
Infrared Photo spectrometer.
Basharat
Bukhari said that the laboratory equipped with latest technology will go a
long way in ensuring adherence to national standards for various horticulture
produce along with keeping a check on the menace of sale of spurious pesticides
in the province. He added that this will lead the state on the path of
certified growth by regulating the use, quantity and quality of pesticides and
fungicides.
Appreciating
the efforts of the Horticulture Department, Basharat Bukhari assured
that the laboratory will be soon be equipped with remaining technology so
that all molecules can be tested with satisfactory results to motivate farmers
towards better farming practices.
Speaking on
the occasion, Altaf Bukhari stressed for perspective planning for improving
quality and production of Horticulture crops by integrated implementation of
viable, eco-friendly, validated and refined technologies.
He stressed
for conducting tests without compromising with quality of results and to
maintain trust of farmer community to motivate them towards better farming
practices.
Appreciating
the efforts of Horticulture Department for establishing and making the
laboratory functional within the deadlines, Priya Sethi said
integrated approach with appropriate quality control is required to encourage
farmers to adopt sustainable measures for boom in Horticulture sector.
Later, the
Ministers visited Soil & Leaf Testing Lab where a team of experts gave
live demonstrations of various testes conducted in the lab to track health
conditions of plantation.
The
Ministers were informed that with advancement in technology, the Lab
analyzes ten parameters to check out soil and plant health which
include PH, EC, Organic Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Iron,
Manganese and Copper and readings are uploaded on Department of Agriculture and
Farmers Welfare Government of India web portal, from where farmers can directly
download Soil Health Card.
The
Ministers were informed that the Soil and Leaf Testing Lab
has conducted awareness cum live demonstration of soil sample collection
technique in and across the State and in coming months all untapped areas will
be covered.
Basharat
Bukhari directed the concerned for constituting teams of experts who will
collect soil and leaf sample from ground to ensure better soil and plant health
in and across the State.
He said that
horticulture industry has the capacity to change the fortunes of not only the
farming community but the entire State with its cascading benefits. He said
currently horticulture sector of the state produces 6000 metric tons of fruit
but it has potential to produce 40,000 metric tons.
Director
Horticulture Kashmir Mathoora Masoom, Director CITH Dr Desh Beer
Singh, Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing Manzoor Ahmad Qadri
and Chief Horticulture Officers, and Horticulture Officers were present on the
occasion.
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