Erratic weather forcing shift from apple to other fruits
Erratic weather and rising input costs are pushing apple growers into growing stone fruits like almonds, plum, apricot, cherry, etc. Another fruit that has attracted the attention of apple growers is persimmon.
Over the last few years, there has been a noticeable shift towards these fruits in the apple belts. The biggest push for diversification has come from erratic weather. The traditional apple varieties need around 800-1,200 chilling hours in winter. With the reduction in snowfall and the winter season becoming dry and warm, it is becoming increasingly tough to get the required chilling hours.
“It will be very difficult to meet the chilling hour requirement of the traditional apple varieties in the future, especially in the mid and low apple belts. The way forward is to go for fruits that require much less chilling hours, around 300-500 hours and fruits like plums, almond, apricot and persimmon need much lesser chilling hours,” said Deepak Singha, president of Stone Fruit Growers Association. “No wonder, several apple growers have started growing these fruits along with apple, which is facing multiple challenges at the moment,” he said.
Lokinder Bisht, president of the Progressive Growers Association, said the shift towards alternative fruits has begun, and it is likely to intensify in the near future. “Apart from the erratic weather, the input cost in apple cultivation has shot through the roof, especially after Covid. The net profit in apple cultivation has reduced to below 50 per cent of the total sale. Due to erratic weather, crop failure and plant mortality is on the rise. Overall, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep apple cultivation sustainable,” said Bisht. Compared to the input cost in apple cultivation, the input cost in these fruits is significantly less.
Meanwhile, the Horticulture Department is also pushing diversification. Under the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project, planting material for fruits like almonds, apricot has been imported to push diversification in apple belts.
