Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian, Dec 12: Authorities on Tuesday confiscated approximately 200 quintals of fake organic fertilisers in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
An official informed that a joint team comprising law enforcement agencies from the agriculture department and the pesticides association conducted the seizure in the Sugoo Imamsahib area.
He said after receiving credible information, the Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal led the inspection to curb black marketing and prevent the use of substandard fertilisers and unauthorised sales. During the inspection, around 200 quintals of substandard fertilisers were seized, he said.
The Director Agriculture said that a team of the department’s enforcement wing carried out a raid and found that a huge quantity of substandard fertiliser was being used.
He said the department is actively working to prevent substandard fertilisers from reaching farmers. Strict legal action would be initiated against individuals involved in selling misbranded fertilisers, he warned.
Iqbal urged farmers to conduct soil tests to determine their land’s essential nutrient requirements before using fertilisers. Farmers are advised to contact the agriculture department at the Panchayat level before using any seeds, fertilisers or pesticides to avoid falling victim to deception, he said, adding, “We want our farmers to cultivate crops not only for themselves but also for the market, making them financially independent.”
Director Iqbal urged the public to contact the department whenever there are suspicions about the sale of fake or substandard materials related to the department.
