95 non-standard samples of agri inputs reported in 2024-25: Govt

Pulwama, March 05: The enforcement wing of the Agriculture Department has reported 95 non-standard samples of agricultural inputs, including 58 pesticide samples, 28 fertilizer samples, and 9 seed samples, during 2024-25 across Jammu and Kashmir.
The information was provided by the Minister of Agriculture, Jammu and Kashmir Government, in the Legislative Assembly in response to a starred question raised by MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami.
The minister informed the House that till ending February of 2025, a total of 3,010 pesticide samples were collected across Jammu and Kashmir and sent for analysis.
Of these, 2,037 samples were found to meet the required standards. However, 58 samples were classified as non-standard, with one non-compliant sample reported from Jammu division out of 479 samples tested, while the remaining 57 non-standard samples were from Kashmir division out of 2,531 samples tested.
The House was also informed that test results for 1,005 pesticide samples are still pending.
In response to these findings, legal proceedings have been initiated in 32 cases, while the remaining cases are under process. The government has also imposed fines amounting to ₹55,000.
Regarding fertilizers, the minister revealed that 1,065 samples were drawn across the Union Territory, out of which 875 met the required standards, while 28 samples— all from Kashmir division— failed to comply.
The House was informed that legal action has been taken against violators, with 26 prosecutions launched and further cases under process. It was revealed that one conviction has resulted in the imposition of a fine.
Similarly, in seed testing, 9 out of 535 samples collected were found to be substandard— three from Jammu and six from Kashmir.
The results of 12 seed samples are still pending. Legal proceedings have commenced in four cases, while the remaining cases are being processed.
The House was informed that a well-defined roadmap is in place to regulate and monitor the sale of pesticides, fertilizers, and seeds in Jammu and Kashmir.
It was highlighted that while the mandate of the law enforcement wing is limited to sample collection for quality testing, the Quality Control Laboratory in Srinagar has been upgraded to analyse all pesticide samples.
In response to another query by the MLA Kulgam regarding the need for revival of traditional paddy varieties and the role of SKUAST-K and the parent department in developing new varieties suitable for changing climatic conditions, the government said that a balanced approach combining traditional rice landraces with modern high-yielding varieties is crucial for agricultural sustainability in the region.
The House was informed that the initiative is being implemented under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Jammu & Kashmir Climate Innovation Program (JKCIP) to safeguard biodiversity and enhance climate resilience.
Efforts are underway to revive and promote traditional rice varieties such as Mushk budji, Red Rice (Kamad), Zag, and Nun Beoul, which are valued for their aromatic grains, high nutritional content, and adaptability to local conditions.
It was revealed that SKUAST-K has developed more than 15 high-yielding and stress-tolerant rice varieties suited to Kashmir’s temperate climate. These include the Shalimar Rice series (Shalimar Rice 1, 2, 3, and 4), along with newly released varieties such as SR-7, SR-8, and SR-9, designed for different altitude ranges.
To ensure quality seed production, SKUAST-K is responsible for supplying breeder and foundation seeds annually for further multiplication and distribution among farmers.
The government has also initiated Geographical Indication (GI) tagging of Mushk budji rice to improve its marketability and secure better prices for farmers.
The minister reiterated that promoting traditional varieties alongside new climate-resilient crops will help farmers cope with the challenges of climate change, enhance productivity, and sustain agricultural biodiversity.