Hope for Palampur, Dharamsala farmers as apple grown in lower hills

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, February 20

The Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Department and a few private growers have succeeded in growing apples in the lower hills between 3,000 ft and 4,000 ft.

Now there is a hope among growers for the cultivation of apples in the lowers hills, particularly Kangra district.

Officials of the state Horticulture Department said now apple could be grown in the lower hills, particularly in the Dhauladhar hills comprising, Palampur, Dharamsala and Jogindernagar.

Many apple growers from Palampur, Bir and Kandwari areas said the commercial cultivation of apples in the lower hills would boost the economy as it would be a major cash crop in the lower hills of the state.

The experiments conducted by the Horticulture Department as well as private growers in this regard had proved to be a great success and it had given a big boost to the horticulture experts as they had succeeded in growing apples in lower hills.

Spur varieties of apples imported from the US was found to be the most suitable in the lower hills of the state. Experts working have recommended this variety for commercial cultivation in lower hills.