Shimla, July 9:
At a time when monsoon-borne diseases are threatening Himachal's apple orchards, farmers from Chopal, Seraj (Mandi), Karsog, andAnni Kullu are up in arms against Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, accusing it of blatant regional bias in its disease-awareness outreach drive.
The university has deputed five expert teams to inspect orchards and guide farmers on pest and disease management — but not one is heading to Chopal,Karsog,Anni, Seraj, the areas equally vulnerable and vital to the state’s apple economy.
In stark contrast, the majority of the visits are concentrated in Jubbal and Kotkhai, which happens to be the home turf of state Education Minister Rohit Thakur.
“Is apple disease prevention now a political privilege?” questioned Ramesh, an orchardist from Chopal.
“Our trees face same fungal attacks and black leaf spots and no leaves in trees, but the university seems more interested in pampering Congress led constituencies Jubbal and Kotkhai, Theog and Rohrru than helping all apple growers in apple belt.”
Angry farmers have now urged Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla, who is also the Chancellor of the university, urging his immediate intervention.
“This isn’t just unfair — it’s dangerous. Ignoring any belt during monsoon is asking for disaster,” warned Rajender Chauhan, a grower from Khirki.
Selective Science?
Nauni’s five teams comprising plant pathologists, entomologists, and fruit scientists will visit the following areas:
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Team 1: Kalbog & Ratnari (Kotkhai) on July 9; Banuti, Devidhar & Sandasli (Chirgaon) on July 10
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Team 2: Tikkar & Pujarli (Rohru) on July 9; Nandpur (Jubbal) on July 10
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Team 3: Mahasu & Dharonk (Kotkhai) on July 9; Chajpur & Anti (Jubbal) on July 10
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Team 4: Chaithla, Pandli & Khaneti (Kotkhai) on July 9; Madhol (Jubbal) on July 10
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Team 5: Matiana & Mahog (Theog) on July 9; Thanedhar & Madhawani (Narkanda) on July 10
Not a single team is visiting Chopal, despite the region grappling with Alternaria blight, scab, and borers — all aggravated by continuous rain and fog.
“This is not just negligence, it’s deliberate discrimination. Just because our MLA is from BJP, should farmers suffer?” said Anil Negi, a young orchardist from Bagain.
Farmers Demand Accountability
Chopal growers have demanded that the entire outreach plan be revised and visits to Chopal, Mandi and Kullu zones be included immediately, or face mass protest. “We’ll hit the streets if apple is allowed to rot due to political favouritism,” said members of the Apple Growers Welfare Committee, Chopal.
Meanwhile, scientists from RHRTS Bajaura (Kullu), KVK Chamba and KVK Kinnaur will conduct similar awareness drives in their respective zones on the same dates. A consolidated disease advisory will follow after the visits.
But Chopal farmers say that’s not enough. “The field conditions vary block by block. What’s the use of a generic advisory when no one stepped foot in our orchards?” questioned Suman Thakur, a woman orchardist from Nerwa.
The outrage is building, and the Governor's response could well decide if science and fairness go hand-in-hand this monsoon — or if apple farming remains tangled in the thorns of politics.
#JusticeForChopalFarmers
#StopPoliticalFavouritismInResearch
#GovernorMustAct
#AppleDoesNotGrowOnPolitics
