From persimmon and jackfruit to kiwi: How Himachal farmers are turning away from apple

For instance, the production of persimmon – called khurma in the local dialect – has grown more than 100% in the last decade. In 2013-14, persimmon’s production was recorded at 519 metric ton (MT) from 403 hectares of cultivation area. Its production had grown to 1,201 MT from 624 hectares in 2022-23. Kullu district produces almost 90% share of the total production of persimmon in the state, that is, out of 1,201 MT persimmon, 1,005 MT of the fruit was produced in Kullu itself in 2022-23. Similarly, jackfruit production was 448 MT from 723 hectares in 2013-14 which grew to 748 MT in 2022-23. The cultivation area also increased to approximately 1,821 hectares in 2022-23.

Litchi is another fruit the production of which saw almost two-fold increase in the last decade in the state. In 2013-14, litchi’s production was 3,275 MT from almost 4,972 hectares. In 2022-23, the overall production of litchi was 6,175 MT from almost 6,501 hectares. Kangra district produces more than 50% of the total yield of jackfruit and litchi in the state every year.

The production of jackfruit and litchi was 359 MT and 3,758 MT, respectively, in Kangra in 2022-23.

Figures obtained from the Department of Horticulture, Himachal Pradesh, suggest that the production of cherry came down to almost 80% in 2015 when the state could produce only 202 MT from 450 hectares vis-a-vis 1,183 MT from 453 hectares in 2014. However, its production has been increasing since 2015. In 2023, the production of cherry was 981 MT from 446 hectares. Shimla produces almost 90% of the total yield of cherry in the state, as per the department data.

Orchardist and persimmon grower Vishal Thakur of Kullu says, “Before shifting to persimmon, my whole village used to grow apples, which we had been cultivating for decades. Somewhere in 2009, our apple plants started dying due to several reasons — primarily because of plant senescence. We did not invest again in apple which takes almost three to four years to bear fruit. Comparatively, persimmon takes less time. During the last season, we got Rs 80 to Rs 180 per kg for persimmon. One plant of it in my field produces almost 30 kg to 35 kg fruit. Persimmon plant is known for its longevity.”

Agriculturist Deepak Singha, who has been gradually shifting from apple to cherry cultivation in Kotgarh (Shimla), said, “Firstly, the apple window period is only for three to four months throughout the year. Secondly, three generations have been cultivating apple. Soil diversification is also a must. It increases the fertility of the soil. In fact, soil becomes vulnerable to specific diseases pertaining to the one crop. Last but not the least, there is no big expenditure in investing in fruits like persimmon, cherry, jackfruit and others. There are many places in Himachal Pradesh where apple cultivation had failed to bear fruit after a particular time, and in such a scenario investing in other fruit crops is more prudent.”

According to the department data, kiwi production in the state was 114 MT in 2013-14. It increased to 766 MT in 2022-23. The cultivation area had also gone up from 113 hectares to 197 hectares, respectively. Solan district emerged as the biggest producer of the fruit in 2022-23 in the state – that is, out of the total kiwi yield of 766 MT in the state, the district produced 455 MT.

Dr Usha Sharma, senior scientist from Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, says, “Fruit diversification is always good for maintaining the fertility of soil. Our state is divided in three categories — low hills/plains, semi-hills, and high hills. Every elevation has its advantage. Farmers have been shifting to other fruits which is the need of the hour.”

However, Dr Usha Sharma maintains that the overall production from the total fruit cultivation area (apple and other fruit crops) is yet to be improved.

Vinay Singh, Director, Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Department, says, “The state is the fruit bowl of the country. Indeed, apple is at the forefront of it in Himachal Pradesh, but we are also encouraging farmers to cultivate other fruit crops. And we are getting positive results.”

In 2021-22, the overall fruit production was 7.53 MT from 2.35 lakh hectares in the state. And apple dominated the overall production with a share of 6.11 MT out of the total fruit production 7.53 MT. Also, the apple cultivation area was 1.15 lakh hectares out of 2.35 lakh hectares.