A first in the state: Himachal’s Tabo witness natural farming-based apple orchard auction

The orchard, comprising 122 apple trees of multiple varieties including Royal Delicious and Golden Delicious, spreads over an area of 1,100 square metres.

In the online auction, among the nine bidders was Ram Tachee (Manali) who successfully bid Rs 9 lakh to claim the orchard.

Before bidding on this orchard, he explored the market demand and found that several clients in Mumbai, Bengaluru and other metro cities are interested in apples grown through natural farming.

“Although natural farming in grains like wheat, paddy and vegetables is gaining traction, very few are working in the horticulture sector using this approach,” he told The Indian Express.

He informed that this auction was on a trial basis and the market response would decide the future.

“I have observed that big traders and private firms selling apples in malls and marts are offering both types — those grown methods involving pesticides and chemicals, and those cultivated through natural techniques.”

Tachee maintained that there are selective horticulturists practicing natural farming but it was for the first time that a natural farming-based orchard was auctioned in the government sector.

The head of KVK, Dr R S Spehia, said that the institute has been working in the field of natural farming for a long time. “However, this is the first time we have successfully auctioned an apple orchard based entirely on natural farming practices.”

Before 2020, the institute relied on chemicals and pesticides, he said. “After 2020, we have adopted purely natural methods — using mixtures of cow dung and cow urine as compost. In place of pesticides and chemicals, we used traditional fertilisers including fermented curd drinks, a mixture of neem (Azadirachta indica) and thuklang (a local grass species found in Lahaul-Spiti).”

Spehia also said, “The auctioned block holds a two-star rating under the CETARA certification of the Government of Himachal Pradesh. Efforts are underway to achieve a three-star rating. We want to encourage more people to adopt natural farming in the horticulture sector.”

According to experts, apples grown under natural farming practices in Spiti Valley have demonstrated exceptional quality parameters.

Cultivated without chemical fertilisers or pesticides, the fruits recorded 13 per cent higher firmness indicating superior texture and longer shelf life, compared to conventionally grown apples. They also exhibited Total Soluble Solids (TSS) levels 11 per cent higher than conventional apples — a key indicator of natural sweetness and consumer preference.

Furthermore, the organic carbon content of the soil in the natural farming orchard was found to be 2.79 per cent, compared to 2.00 per cent in conventionally managed orchards, showing marked improvement in soil quality.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor of Nauni University Rajeshwar Singh Chandel said, “Our university has been promoting natural farming across its research stations to facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices among the farming community in Spiti.”

The vice-chancellor also informed that multiple annual tests conducted on apples for chemical residues confirmed that the fruits are completely chemical-free. The tests are conducted at the NABL-accredited Residue Analysis Laboratory of the Department of Entomology at the university.

Highlighting the ecological significance, Chandel noted that Spiti Valley holds immense potential for natural farming as farmers already use minimal chemicals. “Adopting natural farming is vital to preserve the fragile soil and ecosystem of this cold desert region.” He also said the Geu Panchayat of Spiti has already adopted natural farming for crop production.

A proposal to this effect has been submitted to the state government.

Once approved, the initiative will enable farmers to secure premium prices for their produce while promoting environmentally responsible agriculture in this high-altitude region.

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