Shopian, Oct 22, KNT: A new disease has struck the agricultural sector in South Kashmir’s Shopian villages, leaving farmers anxious and frustrated. The highly infectious ‘Spider Mite’ disease has been detected in plants, posing a significant threat to the crops.
According to experts, ‘Spider Mite’ is a devastating disease that can spread rapidly, causing irreparable damage to crops. “Spider Mite is a highly infectious disease that needs to be curbed immediately,” said a local agricultural expert. “If left unchecked, it can lead to widespread crop failure, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.”
This latest outbreak comes on the heels of another disease, ‘Leaf Miner,’ which had already affected plants in the district. The consecutive attacks have left farmers reeling, with many struggling to maintain their crops.
“The situation is dire. First, it was Leaf Miner, and now Spider Mite. We are losing our crops, and our livelihoods are at stake,” a farmer Ghulam Ahmed from Awneera village told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
The Spider Mite infestation has spread across several hamlets, including Awneera, Babapora, Durpora, and surrounding villages in Shopian district. Farmers are pinning their hopes on the government to intervene and provide urgent assistance.
“We urge the administration to take immediate action to address this crisis. We need experts to guide us on how to contain this disease and protect our crops,” said Abdul Rashid, a farmer from Babapora.
When contacted an official acknowledged the severity of the situation and assured that measures are being taken to address the issue. [KNT]
