(a) whether many kinds of fruits get destroyed because of spread of diseases and
consequently the Government has to suffer loss to the tune of several crore of rupees;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether research has been conducted to check spread of the said diseases;
(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI KANTt LAL BHURIA)
(a) & (b): Yes,Sir.The citrus fruits get destroyed due to pathogens like fungi and bacteria.
Grapes are vulnerable to post harvest diseases mainly due to bunch and berry rots.Among the
prominent cases of crop damage, heavy loss of apple crop was reported during 2006-07 due to severe
infestation of codling moth on apple and apricot in Laddakh Division of Jammu & Kashmir.Moderate
to severe incidence of Bacterial Leaf Blight (Oily Spot) has been reported in pomegranate in
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in recent years. The incidence of Black Spot (Sigatoka)
disease on banana crop was reported in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra State.
(c) & (d): Government of India has adopted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as the cardinal
principle of plant protection. IPM packages of practices for pest/disease management in 77 major
crops have been developed. Research has also been conducted by the institutions of the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research and recommendations made and control measures suggested to check
spread of diseases in fruits.
(e): Does not arise.