Leh, 29 Jan 2021: The Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson convened a meeting at the Council Secretariat to discuss management of Codling Moths in Leh.
The meeting was attended by Executive Councillor for Agriculture Stanzin Chosphel; Executive Councillor for Horticulture, Ghulam Mehdi Ashoor; ADC Leh, Sonam Chosjor; Chief Agriculture Officer, Tsering Dorjey; Chief Horticulture Officer, Tsewang Punchok; District Forest Officer, Mohd. Ali; HDO, Kunzang Angmo; Associate Director SKUAST Ladakh, Dr D. Namgyal; SC DIHAR, Dr Dorjey Angchuk; Sr. Scientist SKUAST-K Leh, Dr Deldan Namgial; Scientist SKUAST-K Leh, Dr Phuntsog Tundup and HDO Kharu, Mohd Ali.
CHO Leh, Tsewang Punchok gave a presentation on the issues related to several farm destructing pests such as the codling moth. He raised the issue of poor participation of farmers in the adoption of management strategies. CHO Leh discussed methods such as the biological and chemical controls in controlling such cases and also raised concerns regarding the need for interventions from the stakeholders in formulating an integrated action plan to deal with such issues.
CHO Leh also highlighted the success stories from the past where they were able to successfully control the spread of Yellow Tail Moth within two years after adopting integrated pest management.
SC DIHAR, Dr Dorjey Angchuk stressed upon the formulation of an immediate action plan to deal with Codling Moths with a structured roadmap based on the past experiences in dealing with Yellow Tail Moths.
CEC Gyalson directed concerned officers to form a committee involving both Executive Councillors within 7 days to formulate an action plan and work collaboratively on different strategies to deal with such issues in future. He also urged concerned officers and research institutes to work collaboratively in conducting a mass awareness campaign among the people of Ladakh.
AD, SKUAST Ladakh, Dr Namgyal stressed upon educating people/farmers on adopting diversified agriculture. He said that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guideline will be circulated within 20 days in all the villages to spread awareness among the people. To which CEC Gyalson urged the officials to ensure timely distribution to all the villages so that they are well aware in dealing with such issues before the start of the farming season.
Highlighting the importance of Bio-Control Research-Based Lab in Leh to find natural and organic solutions to achieve the target of converting Ladakh into organic under MODI schemes in coming months, CEC Gyalson requested research institutes to suggest and propose projects for the establishment of Bio-Control Research-Based Lab in Leh saying that LAHDC Leh will follow it with concerned authorities for further implementation.
CEC Gyalson also urged CHO Leh to ensure proper checking of qualities of fruit products in the market and directed to take strict actions against violators.
Looking at the potential of buckwheat production in Ladakh and its value in the international market, CEC Gyalson urged research institutes and line departments to work collectively in proposing pilot projects to LAHDC Leh.
