Leaf miner pest threatens Kashmir’s prime Apple belt

Baramulla, Aug 23: Apple growers in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district are grappling with mounting concerns as the leaf miner pest has started infesting orchards, leaving farmers anxious about potential large-scale losses during the ongoing season.
Farmers from several apple-rich belts, particularly Rafiabad, reported visible damage to their orchards, with an estimated 30–40% average damage already recorded.
They fear the situation could escalate further if timely preventive measures are not taken.
An official from the horticulture department confirmed that the menace is not a disease but a pest (insect) that has been gradually spreading across the Valley in recent years. “We have been closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with SKUAST and issuing advisories from time to time,” Parvaiz Ahmed, an In Charge official said.
The department, meanwhile, has urged orchardists to strictly follow the recommended control measures to minimize the damage. “At present, farmers are advised to use Thiamethoxam 25 (50 g per 100 litres of water) in solid form or, in liquid form, Lambda‐cyhalothrin and Imidacloprid (50 ml per 100 litres of water)”, the official added.
Experts warn that unchecked spread of the leaf miner pest could dent the Valley’s apple economy, which supports thousands of families and contributes significantly to Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector.
“We invested all our savings into this season, but the leaf miner pest has already eaten away a large part of our orchards. If it continues like this, we fear losing nearly half of our crop,” said Feroz Ahmed, an orchardist from Rafiabad.
Another orchardist from Watergam while expressing concern said they are worried not just about this year’s crop but also about the long-term health of their orchards.
Baramulla district, as per the recent assessment, is leading apple-producing district in Jammu & Kashmir, accounting for nearly 24% of the region’s apple output.
In 2025 alone, the district produced over 494,000 metric tonnes of apples, achieving a remarkable yield of 19.29 MT per hectare. (KNO)