Leh, Feb 11: The Department of Agriculture, LAHDC Leh and the Farmers Welfare organised a one-day seminar themed ‘Integrated Management of Onion Maggot’ and its future course of action.
Executive Councillor for Agriculture, LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel presided over the event. In his address, H’EC Agriculture emphasised that there is a need to reduce the cultivation of onion in red-marked zones for a year looking at the rising cases of onion maggots. He further urged all the concerned officials to spread wide awareness among the farmers through the means of all media platforms especially Digital media to educate the farmers on these issues of Onion Maggot.
He also highlighted the need to work on an MoU to work collectively on organic farming strategies, especially with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), and Research Institutes. He further assured all possible support from the Hill Council, Leh towards field functionaries.
Chief Agriculture Officer Leh, Thinles Dawa highlighted the menace of Onion Maggot and informed about the formation of a special committee to look after the issue. In addition to that, he urged all the officials to enhance mass awareness on the block level about onion maggot and reduce onion cultivation for one or two years to achieve the result.
Senior Scientist Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh Dr. Tsering Stobdan gave a detailed Presentation on the status of Onion Maggot in villages and further suggested recommendations to regulate the issues of Onion Maggots in the villages.
During the Seminar, Scientists, officers, and officials also shared their views and provided valuable suggestions for the future course of action to reduce Onion Maggots.
Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO), Shakeel-ur-Rehman presented the note of thanks. Head CAZRI Dr. Maheswar Singh; Scientist SKUAST, Dr. Deldan; Scientists from SKUAST and DIHAR, Leh; Officers and officials from the Agriculture Department participated in the seminar.
