SHIMLA, JULY 12, 2026: A growing outbreak of premature leaf fall and fungal diseases in apple orchards across Himachal Pradesh has triggered serious concern among orchardists, who are now questioning the quality of fungicides, pesticides and insecticides being sold in the state.
Farmers allege that substandard or even fake agrochemicals have been circulating in the market for years without adequate laboratory testing or government scrutiny.
The issue has assumed greater significance this season as the state's apple crop is already expected to be below normal due to adverse weather conditions, making orchard health critical for both the current and next year's harvest.
BJP leader and progressive orchardist Chetan Singh Bragta urged the state government to launch a comprehensive scientific investigation into the increasing incidence of premature leaf fall and fungal infections affecting apple orchards.
"Over the past several years, apple growers across Himachal have witnessed leaves turning yellow, developing fungal spots and falling prematurely.
This weakens the trees, affects bud formation and reduces fruit-bearing capacity in the following season.
Since the crop is already expected to be lower this year, the situation has become even more alarming," Bragta said.
Farmers pointed out that most orchardists strictly follow the spray schedule recommended by the Horticulture Department and Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.
"If growers are following the officially prescribed spray schedule and the problem continues to worsen every year, it becomes a matter requiring serious scientific investigation," Bragta said.
Farmers demand it is essential to determine the exact cause of the disease instead of relying on assumptions.
"The government must establish whether the damage is being caused by Marssonina Leaf Blotch, Alternaria, nutrient deficiencies, climate change, poor-quality agrochemicals or some other factor.
"Unless the real cause is scientifically identified, there can be no permanent solution," he added.
Bhagta demanded that the state government constitute a joint team comprising experts from Nauni University, the Horticulture Department and national research institutions to conduct detailed field studies in affected apple-growing regions.
The study should include testing of soil, leaves, roots, weather patterns and chemical residues to develop region-specific recommendations for growers.
Bragta also urged the government to ensure the availability of effective fungicides, pesticides and other essential horticultural inputs through Plant Protection Centres (PPCs) at subsidised rates to reduce the financial burden on orchardists.
Meanwhile, several apple growers echoed similar concerns, alleging that the effectiveness of many pesticides and fungicides has declined sharply in recent years.
On ther order hand, agrochemicals companies have sourced some so-called social media influncersvand self styled apple experts active on you tube etc who are paid by the companies to promote their products.
The FIR should be lodged against such social media promoters and companies for propagating untested and untrialed and labtested chemicals, the farmers demand adding the farmers need to liberated from the clutches of the poison cartel of the agrochemical companies.
"We are spending thousands of rupees on sprays every season, yet diseases continue to spread. There is growing suspicion that many products available in the market are either substandard or not performing as claimed. There should be mandatory laboratory testing and strict quality checks before these products reach farmers," said the farmers from Shimla district.
Another grower from upper Shimla said premature defoliation has become a recurring problem despite timely spray operations. "Without healthy leaves, trees cannot build reserves for the next crop. This is not just about this year's harvest—it threatens the future productivity of our orchards."
Farmers have also demanded regular sampling of pesticides, fungicides and insecticides from the open market and independent laboratory testing to verify their quality and efficacy.
They said stronger enforcement against counterfeit agricultural inputs is essential to protect growers from heavy financial losses.
Calling apple cultivation the backbone of Himachal Pradesh's rural economy, Bragta said lakhs of families depend directly or indirectly on the crop.
"This is not the time for political blame games. It is time for scientific intervention and decisive action to safeguard the future of apple farming in Himachal Pradesh," he said.
