Sub-standard pesticides and fertilizers continue to flood markets in the Valley with the statistics presented by the government in the Assembly indicating a higher prevalence of low-quality products in Kashmir than in Jammu. 

According to official data, from January 2024 to February 2025, only 01 out of 384 pesticide samples tested in the Jammu division turned out to be non-standard, compared to 57 non-standard samples out of 1,654 tested in the Kashmir division.

Similarly, out of 317 fertilizer samples tested, 28 were found to be non-standard in the Kashmir division, while none were reported as non-standard in the Jammu division during this period. 

Despite similar regulatory mechanisms in place, the number of non-standard samples in Kashmir is disproportionately higher, indicating potential gaps in enforcement, quality control, or market regulation in the region.

Checks 

On March 20, Javed Ahmad Dar, Minister for Agriculture informed the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly that the batch-wise samples of  both the pesticides and fertilizers were tested for quality in Jammu and Kashmir and were allowed to move into the Valley only after the sample met the required standards. 

“There is a checkpoint at Lower Munda, the gateway to Kashmir, where consignment documents are checked, and the source is verified. The destination is also noted to inform the concerned district inspectors for sampling and testing”, said the Minister. 

Additionally, samples are drawn randomly from the wholesalers and retailers and tested for quality. 

The Agriculture Production Department has an Enforcement Directorate at the UT level, with law enforcement agencies at the district level to monitor and regulate the sale of spurious pesticides and fertilizers.

However, despite all these measures, the subpar products make their way into the markets, causing devastation to apple farms. 

In 2020, a scab epidemic devastated apple orchards in Kashmir due to prevalence of fake pesticides. 

The COVID-19 induced lockdown enabled the fraudsters to sell the fake pesticides to the apple cultivators, leaving more than 80 percent of the produce damaged. The farmers suffered heavy losses as the scab downgraded the first-rate apples to ‘B’ and ‘C’ grade. 

Peerzada Shabir Ahmad, president Pesticides and Fertilizer Dealers and Distributors Association told businessline that they always cooperated with the law enforcement agencies to prevent the sale and distribution of fake and subpar pesticides and fertilizers. 

“We always try to ensure that only standard products reach to farmers”, said Ahmad.   

Published on March 24, 2025