Srinagar, July 29: Due to the unpredictable weather conditions, apple growers in Kashmir are expressing concerns about a potential decrease in apple production in the valley this year.
According to apple growers in the valley, the erratic weather disrupted the usual spray schedule in orchards during May and June, and the unexpected rains have resulted in losses for the farmers.
Showkat Ahmad, an orchardist from Sopore, expressed his concerns, stating that the continuous rains have heightened the worries of farmers, leading to apprehension about this year’s production.
“This year there is more scab than the previous year. Last year we produced some 350 boxes in ten kanals of land but this year we hardly expect 150 boxes,” he said.
The orchardist said that the dip in temperature following snowfall in the upper reaches has caused pests and diseases in apple orchards and it will impact the quality of the fruit as well.
Mohammad Shaban, an apple grower from Tangmarg, lamented that farmers constantly face losses. He explained that the recent rains disrupted the spray schedule, while the high prices of fungicides in the market made it unaffordable for small-scale growers.
“Over the years, the apple industry has endured significant losses. Two years ago, heavy snowfall in November damaged the branches, and this year, the inclement weather has further affected it,” he said.
The growers said other than the climate change, the apple industry is suffering improper planning and marketing, and above all, the growers do not get remunerative prices for their crops.
Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer said that the untimely heavy rains, hailstorm, gusty winds in May and June affected the horticulture industry of J&K and caused enough damages in the fruit orchards.
“The heavy rains and fluctuation of temperature has caused scab in orchards besides that there are black spots in apples which are still not under control,” he said.
Bashir said this year many States in India like Himachal Pradesh would have less production. He expected that this year there would be a decrease in production in the valley then the previous year.
“Those who have constantly suffered heavy losses for the past several years due to one or the other reason are now extremely anxious with the apprehension of additional losses,” he said.
“There are many orchards in several areas that have limited produce this year,” he said. He expected that if the Srinagar-Jammu highway remains open round the clock at harvest time the produce will fetch good prices.
“We have been demanding crop insurance schemes for horticulture so that growers won’t suffer every year,” Bashir said.
In March also, the valley’s farmers were worried about the early blooming of apple trees, which was an unusual phenomenon that experts attribute to global warming and fluctuating temperatures.
The growers expressed serious concern and displeasure over the Union Government’s decision to slash import duty on Washington apples from 70 percent to 50 percent.
However, in May this year, the Govt. of India amended its import policy for apples by introducing Minimum Important Price (MIP) and banning import of apples costing below Rs 50 per kg.
Annually Kashmir produces over 20 lakh mt of apple and in some years touches 25 lakh mt. The 2017 Economic Survey in J&K had said that half of Kashmir’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on the apple industry and over 3.5 lakh hectares are under apple cultivation.
