Keeping in view the early and prolonged monsoons which might lead to spread of diseases, Himachal Pradesh government today said, sufficient quantities of pesticides have been distributed among orchard owners.
The department has purchased 310 MT/KL of pesticides worth Rs 1275.75 lakh and provided a subsidy of Rs 406.35 lakh to orchardists for controlling various pests, a spokesman of the state horticulture department said and advised the orchardists to adopt all steps and follow the spray schedule for fruit crops.
During the rainy season, grass in the orchards also overgrows at the base of plants which are the source of infection, while continuous rains hinder spraying in the orchards and as chemicals sprayed during the monsoons are washed away, he said.
No symptoms of disease have been found in the apple orchards so far, he said, adding the state government has implemented the Market Intervention Scheme-2013 from August 2013 to October 31, 2013 for procurement of 'C' grade apples at Rs 6.50 per kg to safeguard grower's interests.
During the current year, 270 Apple Collection Centres have already been made operational in the apple growing areas, he said.
