According to cultivators in Bishnah, Samba and Hiranagar — major strawberry producing areas — many plants have been affected with Mycosphaerella, a plant disease, resulting in wilting of leaves and stems of the plant.

Jammu and Kashmir produces nearly 1,00,000 kg of strawberry annually, which not only cater to the local demands but are also sent to other states of the country.

There are about 14 different varieties of the fruit and in addition of being consumed fresh, it is also used in dairy products.

A senior scientist at Sher-e -Kashmir Agriculture University (SKUAST), Jammu, Dr J P Sharma, said, “We have received reports about a fungal blight attack on stems and leaves of strawberry crop,” adding that though it is for the horticulture department to take measures but they are also ready to cooperate.

Sharma said a spray of Redomil MZ could be used effectively to control the spread of fungus and save the crop from ruin.

“There are other pesticides that could be used to control the fungus spread but Redomil is very effective in the present case,” the scientist added.

The cultivation season in Jammu region starts in October and lasts up to month of June and is concentrated in Samba, Kathua, Bani, R S Pura and Ramban areas and hundreds of farmers are engaged in its farming.

Ashwani Kumar, a strawberry grower, said, “It is not only the fungus but also the rise in temperature that is threatening the strawberry crop in many areas. Farmers are very worried at the moment.”

He also said the farmers were not getting the strawberry plants from nurseries and, in many cases, had to import them from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.

Kashmir’s story of profit

SRINAGAR: Growers of strawberries in the Kashmir valley look set for a profitable season. “We sell most of the locally grown strawberries to the tourists. This time growers are likely to earn around Rs two or three crore,” Director, Horticulture, M S Qasba told The Indian Express.

Though it is still considered an intercrop due to its limited production, growers are contemplating increasing its cultivation area and sending strawberries to the Gulf markets. “We have a very limited production of strawberries in Kashmir. In the coming years, not only will its production go up but its revenue will also touch double figures,” Qasba added.

ENS