Orchardists urged to adopt responsible apple disposal practices

Pulwama, Oct 10: Horticultural experts and civil society members urge for responsible practices in disposing of leftover apples by orchardists in Kashmir Valley.
This appeal comes as reports emerge of farmers resorting to improper disposal methods, such as dumping apples in streams, brooks, along roadsides, and grazing lands.
Ghulam Mohammad Dar, a prominent member of the civil society in Pulwama, expressed his dismay at the prevalent practice of discarding leftover apples in unregulated areas.
He emphasized the need for orchardists to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of their orchards, urging them to refrain from polluting natural water sources and grazing lands.
Environmentalist Tahir Hussain warned of the adverse consequences associated with this practice.
“Not only does it provide a breeding ground for various fungal and bacterial diseases, but these pathogens can also find their way back into the orchards through wind, water, or carriers like grazing animals and birds. Moreover, rotting apples in open areas contribute to environmental nuisances and become breeding grounds for flies and other disease-carrying agents,” he said.
Hussain further noted that this irresponsible disposal method negatively affects the quality of water in streams, potentially rendering it unfit for consumption, while also causing blockages and pollution in these water bodies.
To address these issues, experts propose a more responsible approach: the biodegradation of leftover apples.
They recommend collecting leftover apples in one location and burying them in pits, allowing them to naturally decompose and transform into valuable compost.
“This compost can subsequently be used to enhance the fertility of agricultural lands, contributing to sustainable horticultural practices, ” experts said.
Mohammed Shafi Dar, district level subject matter specialist Horticulture Department Kashmir, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that leftover apples represent an organic resource that can benefit orchardists when managed responsibly. Dar underscored the importance of avoiding the harmful consequences associated with improper disposal, such as soil, water, and air pollution.
“The best method to dispose of fallen fruit and leaves is burying the waste in a pit and covering the pit with a one and half feet thick layer of soil,” he said, adding that the waste can be sprayed with urea water for quick decomposition.
He said that 4 kilograms of urea can be added to 100 litres of water to make the mixture.
He said that if orchardists ensure proper sanitation of their orchards around 80 percent infection load can be reduced.