Tags:
Journalism of Courage
What winter rains and brisk snowfall did to assure a bumper apple crop in Himachal Pradesh has been promptly undone by the scant monsoon. So even as the state8217;s crop has begun to hit the market in other parts of the country, there is little to cheer: the apple quality is below par and is fetching poor price.
In the past fortnight, more than 4,500 apple-laden trucks have reached Delhi and other markets, but the price, even for the best variety, Royal Delicious, has barely touched Rs 900 per box. This is less by Rs 300-400 as compared to last year. Only now, on August 1, did it sell for Rs 1,000 per box. The prices for other varieties, such as Riche Red, remain below Rs 750 per box and the Golden Delicious is selling for Rs 475.
8220;The crop is bound to suffer if the weather remains warm more than 22 degree Celsius and there is no rain during these days,8221; says Pratap Chauhan, a leading grower at Kotkhai. Other growers consider rain, fog and intermittent shunshine ideal for apples during harvesting.
The climate change has also impacted the apple in another way: mite or partial drying of the fruit-bearing plant, which takes place at the ripening stage. According to reports from Rohru, Chopal, Jubbal, Theog and Thanedar, mite has already started showing up in plants; though the fruit is safe at higher altitudes, mite and dry spell have affected it in lower and mid-hill areas.
8220;We have recommended spraying to ward off the ill effect, but only the right weather can fully cure the disease,8221; says B.K. Karkara, associate director at Y.S. Parmar Horticulture University8217;s research station Mashobra.
Meanwhile, corporate buyers like the Adani group, which has been buying apples since last year, hasn8217;t yet started the procurement process. The company is apparently biding its time and hoping to buy only good quality apples. 8220;We will start our operations next week, and the prices are likely to stabilise once we jump in,8221; says Abhay Pant, Adani8217;s general manager in Himachal.
Last year, the Adani group had offered Rs 32-42 per kg to the growers, both at the orchard gates and also to those who sold their crop at the company8217;s three collection centres.The new rates are likely to be announced in a week8217;s time. The group has already invested Rs 160 crore in the state and has set up three Controlled Atmosphere CA storages with a capacity of 1800 MTs. Three other players, including Reliance and Container Corporation of India, have also not begun procurement from the orchards.
As per the state government8217;s estimates, Himachal is expected to produce 2.5 crore apple boxes as against 1.34 crore in 2006. The harvest season, except in Kinnaur district, began in July for the early varieties produced in the lower elevations and ends in September with supply of apples from the higher reaches. The state8217;s apple economy has already crossed Rs 1,500 crore.
The introduction of new farming techniques and apple varieties has already set the apple growers on a new course, with the new varieties expected to reach the market in two years. This, even as farmers are switching over to other fruits like kiwi, cherry, peach and pears. Now, with the weather too playing spoilsport, it may only be the beginning of apple growers8217; woes.
