Farmers in Pulwama raise alarm over sale of substandard fertilizers, pesticides
Seek immediate government intervention
Pulwama: Serious concerns are being raised by farmers and residents across several areas of Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district over the alleged sale of substandard and unverified fertilizers and pesticides in local markets.
The situation has triggered anxiety among the farming community, with many accusing the enforcement wing of the Agriculture Department of remaining inactive despite the growing complaints.
Pulwama district known as one of the major agricultural belts of south Kashmir, largely depends on quality agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides for the cultivation of paddy, vegetables, and horticultural crops. However, farmers claim that the unchecked sale of low-quality products in markets is putting their livelihoods at risk.
Several farmers said that the presence of uncertified agro-chemicals in shops has increased in recent months, and the absence of regular inspections has allowed unscrupulous traders to exploit the situation.
A local farmer from the district said that the issue is becoming a serious threat to agriculture. “Farmers invest a large portion of their savings in fertilizers and pesticides to protect their crops, but when the products turn out to be ineffective or fake, the entire season’s effort goes to waste,” he said. “If timely action is not taken, it could lead to huge losses for the farming community.”
Another resident from Tral expressed concern that the enforcement agencies responsible for monitoring the sale of agricultural inputs appear to be largely inactive.
“There should be strict and regular market inspections to ensure that only quality products reach farmers. Unfortunately, the enforcement wing seems to be in deep slumber while questionable products continue to be sold openly,” he said.
Farmers also pointed out that the use of poor-quality pesticides not only affects crop production but can also damage soil health and pose risks to human health.
They stressed that agriculture is the backbone of the local economy and any compromise in input quality can have far-reaching consequences.
They said that authorities must immediately verify the authenticity of fertilizers and pesticides available in markets.
“The government should conduct laboratory testing of products being sold in shops and take strict action against dealers found supplying substandard or fake materials,” they said.
They further urged the Agriculture Department to strengthen its enforcement mechanism and launch awareness drives so that farmers can identify genuine and certified products.
Locals have appealed to the district administration and the Agriculture Department to conduct surprise inspections in markets across Tral and other parts to ensure that strict regulations are enforced.
They warned that if the issue is not addressed promptly, it could lead to significant agricultural losses in the coming farming season.
The residents have demanded immediate intervention from the concerned authorities to safeguard the interests of farmers and maintain the quality standards of agricultural inputs being sold in the district.
