Fake pesticides polluting air, adding to rise in Cancer cases in Kashmir: SKUAST-K VC
Pesticides to be sold through Govt Khidmat Ghars only
Srinagar: Vice Chancellor Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST)- Kashmir, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai on Monday warned that the spread of fake pesticides and fertilisers in Kashmir has become a serious environmental and health threat, contributing to air pollution, soil damage and a worrying rise in cancer cases across the Valley.
Speaking at an autumn event at the Chrysanthemum Garden inside the university campus, Prof. Ganai said many of the pesticides and fertilisers sold in local markets are counterfeit or adulterated, containing harmful chemicals that remain in the environment long after use.
“When farmers spray fake pesticides, the toxic chemicals don’t stay on the leaves. They seep into the soil, pollute water sources, and even become part of the air people breathe,” he said.
“This silent exposure is dangerous and affects entire communities,” he added.
Kashmir recorded around 6,800 cancer cases last year, and experts believe that long-term exposure to contaminated air, soil and food is adding to the burden. The VC said such figures should act as a wake-up call for policymakers and enforcement agencies. He also pointed out that no farmers attended the event, a sign that many growers remain unaware of how fake agro-chemicals are harming their land and their own health.
SKUAST-K officials said fake pesticides and fertilisers entered Kashmir gradually through unregulated supply chains, misleading labels, and easy availability of low-cost products. Some of these items closely resemble genuine brands but contain untested and dangerous substances.
These fake products not only fail to protect crops but also reduce soil fertility, kill beneficial microorganisms and leave behind residues that contaminate the environment. To address the crisis, SKUAST-K is promoting organic fertilisers and bio-pesticides through its network of Khidmat Ghars, where farmers can buy certified products and receive guidance on safe farming practices.
“This shift towards organic inputs is essential for protecting both the land and public health,” Prof. Ganai said. To a query about decline in the saffron production in Kashmir, he said that soil stress, erratic weather, and the use of low-quality and fake chemicals have all contributed to the collapse of yields.
Besides this, the non-local work force digging the saffron fields pre-harvest is one of the major causes of the declining in the crop. Prof. Ganai said restoring soil purity and controlling the sale of fake inputs are essential to saving Kashmir’s famed saffron industry.
