Kuldeep Singh Rathore demanded that Apple alternaria disease be declared an epidemic

Danger looms over apples in the state, orchards are affected by Alternaria disease, and the size and color of apples are directly affected, Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore demanded that the disease be declared an epidemic, and also talked about taking help from the Centre to prevent the disease.

Clouds of danger are looming over the apple economy of Himachal Pradesh worth Rs 5000 crore. Apple orchards have come under the grip of a disease called Alternaria which is directly affecting the size and colour of apples. Apple leaves are falling prematurely which the orchardists of the state are quite worried. In a press conference in Shimla, Congress MLA, and national spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore demanded that this Alternaria disease spreading on apples be declared an epidemic and has also asked the central government for cooperation in preventing the disease.
Kuldeep Singh Rathore said that Alternaria disease has taken the form of an epidemic in many areas of the state. In some areas, 95 percent of the orchards have been affected by the disease. In such a situation, the state government should talk to the central government and take steps to prevent it. In 1982-83 also, scab disease had affected apples, on which timely steps were taken and help was taken from the Center. The government should understand the seriousness and take steps to prevent Alternaria disease and also raise the issue with the Center. Although the Horticulture Department has sent teams, research is also needed to eradicate this disease from its roots. Questions are also being raised on the quality of medicines available in the market, it should also be monitored. Apart from this, apple plants being imported from abroad are also under suspicion.
There should be quarantine. Only after that should it be made available to the orchardists. The government and the horticulture department have to ensure that diseases are not imported from abroad along with apples. Apples are already becoming a loss-making deal, in such a situation, apple production will become extremely difficult in Himachal due to the spread of diseases.