Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore urges Himachal government to declare apple crop disease an epidemic

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 18 : The All India Congress Committee spokesperson and Congress legislator from Theog assembly segment of Shimla district, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, has urged the state government to declare the disease in the apple crop an epidemic.
Speaking to reporters in Shimla on Thursday, he said that danger clouds are looming over the apple economy of Himachal Pradesh.
He said that the apple orchards have come under the grip of a disease called "Alternaria," which is directly affecting the size and colour of apples. Apple leaves are falling prematurely, due to which the orchardists of the state are quite worried.
In a press conference in Shimla, Kuldeep Singh Rathore has demanded to declare this Alternaria disease spread on apples an epidemic, and he also asked for cooperation from the central government to prevent the disease.
Kuldeep Singh Rathore said that "Alternaria" disease has taken the form of an epidemic in many areas of the state. He said in some areas, 95 percent orchards have come under the grip of the disease. In such a situation, the state government should take up the matter with the central government and take steps to prevent it.
During the year 1982-83, scab disease had affected apples, on which timely steps were taken and help was taken from the Center. He asserted that the government should understand the seriousness, take steps to prevent "Alternaria" disease and also take up the issue with the Center.
Although the Horticulture Department has sent teams, research is also needed to eradicate this disease from its roots. He said that questions are also being raised about the quality of medicines available in the market, this should also be monitored.
Rathore said Apart from this, there is also suspicion on apple plants being imported from abroad, these plants should be quarantined. Only after that should they be made available to the farmers.
He said Shimla's apple economy, valued at Rs 5000 crore, is facing a severe threat from the "Alternaria" disease, which is affecting both the size and color of the apples. This disease is causing premature leaf drop, alarming orchardists across the state.
Rathore urged the state government to declare the "Alternaria" outbreak in apple orchards as an epidemic. He also called for central government intervention to combat the spread of the disease.
Rathore highlighted that "Alternaria" has reached epidemic proportions in many regions, affecting up to 95 percent of orchards in some areas. He emphasized the need for the state government to collaborate with the central government to take immediate preventive measures. He recalled the scab disease outbreak in 1982-83, which was effectively managed with timely intervention and central assistance.
He stressed the importance of thorough research to eliminate Alternaria from its roots, questioning the quality of available medicines and suggesting the monitoring of these products. Rathore also raised concerns about the potential introduction of diseases through imported apple plants, advocating for strict quarantine measures before distributing these plants to orchardists.
Rathore warned that, without immediate action, apple production in Himachal Pradesh could become unsustainable, exacerbating the financial struggles of apple growers in the region.