JAMMU, Feb 19: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ruled out the introduction of the famous Ladakhi Apricot in the Gurez Valley due to strict phytosanitary restrictions, opting instead to promote alternative varieties to boost horticulture in the border region.
Replying to a query by legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the Minister Incharge for Agriculture Production and allied departments confirmed that while the agro-climatic conditions in Gurez are suitable for the Ladakhi variety, existing restrictions prohibit its cultivation.
Citing a report from the Joint Director (Planning) of the Horticulture Department, the minister stated that the presence of the Codling Moth in the area poses a major biosecurity threat. Transporting planting material of Ladakhi Apricot is currently banned to prevent the pest from spreading to other fruit-growing belts.
To circumvent the issue, the government has initiated the plantation of alternative high-density varieties better suited to the region. The department is currently promoting cultivars including Halman, Harkot, Charmagz, New Castle, and Erani under the Capex scheme and the Tree Born Oil (TBO) initiative.
The minister added that further Research and Development is required to ascertain the suitability of any new variety for propagation in the Gurez area.
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