Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Amid a growing concern of fluctuation in apple production in Himachal Pradesh over the years, a target of 5.82 lakh metric tonne (LMT) apple production was set by the state horticulture department.
The target is bigger than what it was in 2023 when the entire state was under the fury of floods. Last year, the target was 5.30 LMT but the production was just 4.84 LMT, which was almost 28 per cent less than 2022 when the apple production was 6.72 LMT.
While apple production saw a decline last year, the area under apple cultivation increased from 1,15,016 hectares in 2022 to 1,15,680 hectares in Himachal in 2023. The area under apple cultivation has been gradually increasing in the state.
The area under apple production was just 400 hectares in 1950-51, it increased to 3,025 hectares by 1960-61 and by 2008-09, total apple cultivation area reached 97,438 hectares. By 2020-21, it had further increased to 1,14,646 hectares.
Apple constitutes about 49% of the total area under fruit crops in the state and about 82.5% of the total fruit production in the state.
A horticulture department officer said that last year excessive rainfall of 1,334.9 mm caused huge damage to the leaves of apple plants. “The winter season was not up to the mark. The chilling hours required for apple plants were not enough. However, the less hailstorm this year is a plus point for the apples so far. Certain areas in Shimla, including Fagu, Kufri, Shillaru, Thyog, Jubbal etc, that produces maximum apple in the state, are hailstorm prone areas. But this time the hailstorm received less. Though High Density Plantation (HDP) of apple plants is on a low level, it will be a factor to achieve the 5.82 LMT target,” he said.
Vinay Singh, director of Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Department, said that this year, the weather has fluctuated a lot. “The inadequate chilling hours, which is a necessary for certain apple varieties such as Delicious Golden, is also a concern. But this year, we have increased our target and have also changed our packaging. Arrangements are also being made to transport apples timely from orchards to the market, so the fruit would not be wasted or damaged. We are hopeful to achieve the 5.82 LMT target,” he said.
While early apple varieties of Anna, Tydeman have started reaching the market, this year apples are being packed and transported in Universal cartons of the standard size of 20kg each from the earlier telescopic cartons that weighed from 25kg to 36kg.
Depending on the variety and elevation of area, Apple is largely harvested from July to the first week of November. Late apple varieties include Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Golden delicious etc and are largely produced in high elevation areas, including Kinnaur, where apple was plucked till the first week of November.
Approximately 90 per cent of the apple produced in the state is for the domestic market and the remaining is exported.
Apple makes 85 per cent of the state’s fruit economy or Rs 4,000 crore.
Meanwhile, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap on Friday set apple transportation rates from Shimla to other destinations. He said the new rates are based on the weight in kg instead of the number of boxes, the concept which was being followed earlier. He instructed all concerned officers to implement the rates strictly and to ensure these were followed by different transport unions. The DC added that these rates are determined per quintal. Legal action will be taken against defaulter truck, mini-truck, pickup, and operator unions for overcharging, he added.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
