Horticulture Department recommends urgent fungicide spray for hailstorm-hit apple orchards

PULWAMA — Amid growing concerns among farmers due to recent incessant rains and hailstorms in South Kashmir, the Horticulture Development Office in Shadimarg has issued urgent recommendations to protect apple orchards from further damage.

Manzoor Ahmad, Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) of Shadimarg, advised orchardists in Pulwama and Shopian districts to immediately spray a combination of fungicides — Difenoconazole, Tebuconazole, and Zineb with Hexaconazole — to mitigate the impact of hailstorms on both traditional and high-density apple trees.

“Three days after applying these fungicides, farmers must follow up with a urea spray — 200 grams per 100 litres of water — to aid recovery,” Manzoor Ahmad told The Kashmir Pulse during a visit to his office on Tuesday.

The officer confirmed that departmental teams in his domain area have assessed hail-affected orchards, estimating 4–5% damage so far. While compensation decisions rest with higher authorities, field staff are conducting surveys to document losses.

To ensure timely assistance, the department has created a WhatsApp group where farmers receive real-time advisories on fungicides, fertilizers, and best practices to safeguard their crops.

The recommendations come as South Kashmir’s apple belt, a key economic hub, faces heightened anxiety over unusual weather threatening this year’s harvest.