himachali apple

BRAND HIMACHAL Apple Revolution

Shivraj Sharma Chavinder Sharma chaman sharma yashpal thakur harikrishan sharma jitender gupta      print media group anni                                                          (Cover Story)

It was beginning of the 20th century when Satyanand Stokes introduced apple cultivation for the first time in Himachal Pradesh. At the same time, apple orchards were established in Kullu also but it was only after 1950 that apple production gained momentum. From 712 hectare under apple production in 1950, now 1.3 lakh hectares has been brought under apple orchards in Himachal with Shimla district accounting for major production. It has revolutionized economy as the Himachal produces apple worth Rs. 2,500 crore and is livelihood of six lakh growers. Kinnauri apple is famous globally because of its quality. However, the impact of global warming is also witnessed in its production as apple belt is shifting to upper areas in Kullu Valley with tribal people in Lahaul & Spiti district also establishing orchards. On the other hand, new apple varieties suitable for plain areas give a new hope as 10 districts of Himachal, excluding Una and Hamirpur, are considered suitable for apples. Nevertheless, Himachal gave apple to India and has earned the status of fruit bowl of the country primarily due to production of this delicious and juicy crop of apple.

 Stokes Ushered in Apple Revolution

Tek Chand Verma

Apple orchards were first established in Kotgarh and Kullu with Satyanand Stokes choosing Dhana Dhar Kotgarh area suitable for apple trees around 1900. He also imported different apple varieties to give new direction to apple production in the state. Captain R. C. Lee also established the first apple orchard in Kullu and Alexander Coutts near Mashobra during the same period. However, apple production got an impetus after 1950 as 712 hectare area was brought under apple orchards. Apple production has been increasing since then as more horticulturists were attracted to this cash crop. Currently, apple orchards are spread over 1.30 lakh hectare in Himachal and nearly 6 lakh horticulturists are associated with apple with 3 lakh directly dependent for their livelihood. Apple orchards are located primarily in Shimla, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, and Chamba districts in addition to some areas in Bilaspur, Solan, Una and Hamirpur districts. Major apple varieties produced in Himachal include Royal, Red, Golden, Red Golden and others. New varieties are also being introduced in upper and lower belts that have resulted in enhanced apple production.

Apple Economy in Himachal

*  Apple Production: Rs 2,500 Crore

*   Shimla district dominates in apple production

*   712 hectare brought under apple in 1950

*   1.3 lakh hectare under apple orchards

*   Important role in Himachal’s GDP

*   Record production of 4.45 apple boxes in 2010

*  Six lakh apple growers in 10 districts

Packaging

Apple production starts in end June every year and horticulturists get prices of apple according to its quality and size. Apple growers are being benefited from new varieties and packaging techniques. Packing machines have been installed in apple producing districts for the benefit of farmer to get remunerative prices.

Year         Production in MT

2010-11     8.92 Lakh

2011-12     2.75 Lakh

2012-13     4.12 Lakh

New Areas for Apple Production

As apple crop is facing problems in upper areas of Himachal, new varieties are being introduced in lower areas of the state. Experts opine that new varieties suitable for plain areas have been developed. Some of the growers in Bilaspur and Kangra have grown apple. Horticulture experts feel that 10 districts of Himachal, excluding Una and Hamirpur, are suitable for apple production

*   Dr. Rakshpal developed apple orchard on nine kanals in Kariara village near Dehra in Kangra

*   Hariman, a resident in Panyal village near Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district has developed 100 apple trees

*   Mann Tea Estate producing apples near Dharmshala

 Royal: The Kinnaur Specialty

Apples produced in Kinnaur district are famous for their quality globally and the apple production has become major source of earning of people of this tribal area as its production is increasing every year. Nearly 11, 000 hectare area with 3 lakh apple trees is under apple orchards and nearly 1 lakh new apple trees are being added every year. A 20-25 kg carton of Kinnauri apple fetched a price of Rs. 600 to Rs. 3000 in different mandis of the country. Nearly 23 lakh apple cartons are likely to be produced this year. Main variety of apple in the area is Royal whereas other varieties like Oregan Spur, Red Spur, Well Spur, Super Chief and others. Assistant Director of Regional Horticulture Research Station of Dr. YS Parmar UHF, Sharbo, Dr. Satish Kumar says that some problems have surfaced in apple orchards in lower areas of Kinnaur district and growers are being told about problems and their solutions in a phased manner by holding awareness camps.

 Challenges of Changing Climate

Though apple growers have harvested good produce during the past two years due to timely snowfall and rainfall but experts feel that changing climatic conditions have adverse effect on apple production as required chilling hours are not completed thus leading to many diseases. In addition, increasing prices of insecticides and pesticides have also added to their problems. Apple is the major fruit accounting for more than 40% of total area under fruits and about 88% of total fruit production. Apple growers didn’t get suitable price for the reasons declining quality, early harvesting, increasing use of fertilisers decreasing rainfall,  shrinking winter season and others. Vice Chancellor, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Dr. Vijay Singh Thakur suggests some of the following solutions to improve quality and quantity of apple production:

*  Aware apple growers about latest techniques and climatic changes

*  Proper marketing to get remunerative apple prices

*  Establish processing units at panchayat level

*  Boost beekeeping to improve apple quality

*  Cooperative movement can enhance profits of apple growers

Competition among Apple Growers

Apple is a cash crop and growers get enough cash at a time. As a result, the competition among growers is also surfacing due to greed because apple is reaching markets before time that is affecting many orchadists.

We change research programmes with the changing climate to find need based solutions for the problems of horticulturists

-Dr. Vijay Singh Thakur Vice Chancellor, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and  Forestry, Nauni

Competition among growers, costly new techniques and insecticides are adding to economic burden of orchadists but there are ample possibilities of employment for youth

-Jawahar Lal Verma Apple Grower Matiana Kandru

Apple revolutionized economy in upper Shimla areas and growers are adopting new varieties to boost their profits. The apple revolution has improved the lifestyle of people in the area

-Vikas Chauhan Orchadist, Narkanda

Apple Belt Shifting to Lahaul & Spiti

Apple belt in Kullu district is shifting towards Lahaul & Spiti district due to the impact of global warming. As a result, apple orchards have come up in cold desert of Lahaul valley. Apple trees introduced in Lahaul have started yielding initial crop. Last year 175 MT apples were produced in Lahaul and this year the crop has started reaching the market. Dr. G.C. Kunial, Senior scientists of G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Mohal, Kullu says that apple belt is quickly shifting towards upper areas due to global warming impact.

 Tribal people are being encouraged to adopt apple production in Lahaul Valley

-Upender Nath Mishra President, Kullu & Lahaul Agricultural Produce Marketing Samiti