Bad weather damages apple crop in Himachal

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While neighbouring Punjab and Haryana are basking over the bumper wheat crop exceeding targets by over 30%, Himachal Pradesh suffers as about 50% of its apple crop has been damaged this season due to sudden twist in weather during April and May, the time when blooming starts. The recent rain and hailstorm coupled with sudden change in weather pattern have badly affected the crop.

The Himachal Pradesh Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (HPFVGA), in a memorandum submitted to state chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Monday, has urged the state government to assess the damage and come to the rescue of the growers with a suitable relief package. The association says that 50% to 90% of the crop had been damaged in Kotkhai, Jubbal, Rohru, Chopal, Rampur and adjoining Kullu areas.

Talking to FE, SP Katyal, general secretary of the HPFVGA, said that the “economy of the farmers has been shattered as after putting so much of inputs they will not get anything in return,” He rued that the rains and hails have damaged over 20% to 50% of apple bloom in Mandi, Kullu and Shimla districts which account for 70% of total apple crop in the hill state.

The state has around 19.7 million hectares of area under fruit cultivation, out of which apple accounts around 48% of the entire cultivation.

Himachal produces an average of 5.5 metric tonnes of apples every year, an important cash crop of the state and a strong part on state economy.

Not only apple but also apricot, almonds crop that has been affected in the state as orchard owners are facing heavy losses due to crop damage.

Hemraj Sharma, horticulture expert, Government of Himachal Pradesh told FE that “in comparison to last years’ normal crop, the yield of the crop we were expecting this year, has been affected around 20-25% due to the weather change.” He said that there has been a change in the rainfall distribution pattern this year.