Srinagar, Apr 10 (KNO): In a landmark initiative to revolutionize horticulture and apple farming in the Kashmir Valley, Dhanuka Agritech Limited, one of India’s leading agrochemical companies, hosted a high-impact program on “Scientific Management of Apple” in Srinagar.
It was honoured by the presence of Dr. M.K. Verma, Director of Agriculture, ICAR-CITH chief guest, a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said.
The event spearheaded by Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus, Dhanuka Agritech Limited, and reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to empowering Indian farmers through knowledge, cutting-edge technologies, and sustainable practices.
It brings together leading scientists, policymakers, agribusiness leaders, and progressive farmers for a full-day immersion into the future of apple cultivation—focusing on sustainable, disease-resilient, and high-yield farming powered by scientific innovation and farmer-centric technologies.
As part of this initiative, Dhanuka Agritech unveiled a specially designed product portfolio for the comprehensive management of apple orchards. Tailored to the specific needs of apple growers, the “Portfolio Launch for Apple Growers” introduces innovative solutions to combat prevalent challenges such as Apple Scab, red mite infestations, and premature leaf fall.
At the event, a blockbuster product, “MIYAKO”, for the control of the spider mite was launched, a revolutionary miticide from Nissan Chemicals, Japan. Other highlighted products were “DELIGHT” (Dodine 65% WP), and “CURSOR” (Flusilazole). This robust portfolio not only ensures effective pest and disease management but also enhances fruit quality and profitability, reflecting Dhanuka’s commitment to empowering farmers with world-class crop protection technologies and sustainable orchard solutions.
"India’s food security must go hand-in-hand with nutritional security—and horticulture, especially in regions like Kashmir, holds the key. With high-density apple plantations, our farmers can triple their productivity. At Dhanuka, we’ve always championed quality, innovation, and farmer-first solutions—from launching Omite in Kashmir to introducing greener, safer chemistries like DECIDE. Indian agriculture has a bright future, and our youth are its greatest asset. It’s time we erase the word 'poor' from 'poor farmer' by ensuring rural prosperity through science, technology, and strong industry-academia partnerships. The four wheels of agriculture—scientists, farmers, industry, and channel partners—must move in unison to drive India forward." – Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus, Dhanuka Agritech
"Kashmir has the ideal blend of talent, discipline, and climate to lead the way in apple cultivation. With high-density planting transforming traditional orchards—from 12–16 feet spacing to just 3–4 feet—we can boost productivity from 11 to over 60 tons per hectare. Apple is truly a golden fruit with global demand, and making it export-oriented is the need of the hour. As intensification grows, so will pest challenges—hence, the role of research, responsible pesticide use, and technology transfer becomes even more critical. At CITH, we remain committed to empowering farmers with the right knowledge and practices to ensure quality and sustainability." – Dr. M.K. Verma, Director, ICAR-CITH.
"Apple is a vital cash crop for Jammu & Kashmir, and the shift towards high-density planting offers immense potential. However, climate change is altering pest dynamics—spider mite infestations are a clear example. We must emphasize integrated pest management with tools like pheromone traps for leaf miners and sticky traps for fruit borers, alongside modern methods like drone spraying. Most importantly, pesticide use should always be judicious and based on economic threshold levels, with utmost attention to safety during application." – Dr. Manzoor A. Parray, Head, Entomology, SKUAST-K
"We sincerely thank Dhanuka for its excellent products and the impactful extension services it continues to provide to apple orchardists in Kashmir. Their efforts in educating farmers about new and innovative technologies are truly commendable. I urge Dhanuka to keep up this good work and further strengthen its support to our growers in the years ahead." – Dr. Mohd. Yusuf Zarger, Director, Cooperative Society Kashmir & Director, NAUF Federation
"Dhanuka’s products like CURSOR and LUSTRE have proven to be game-changers in apple disease management. Based on my personal experience and results in the field, I confidently recommended them to orchard owners across the region. These solutions are truly making a difference in ensuring healthier crops and better yields." – Dr. Nisar Ahmed Khan, Plant Pathology Expert
Dhanuka is committed to the welfare of farmers across India. To strengthen agricultural extension and research, Dhanuka has signed MoUs with ICAR and 15 agricultural universities across the country. Reaching 14 crore farmers across 6.5 lakh villages is not possible for any single organization alone. That’s why Dhanuka believes in the power of public-private partnerships, a philosophy we’ve long embraced.
Under its MoU with ICAR, Dhanuka has actively conducted awareness campaigns to educate farmers about product authenticity, encouraging them to scan QR codes on product packaging to verify genuineness.
With over 150 participants from agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, retailers, and apple growers, the event stands as one of the largest public-private scientific collaborations for horticulture in Jammu & Kashmir. It marks a significant stride toward promoting sustainable, technology-driven, and farmer-centric agricultural practices, poised to transform the apple farming landscape of the region—(KNO)