Apple farmers face uncertainty

Shopian, Jan 13: Last year, during this season, the apple and other farms, sprawling over thousands of hectares, were carpeted under a thick layer of snow, particularly in the upper reaches of south Kashmir, signalling a bountiful harvest.

Although an erratic weather condition, which was experienced from March to June, impacted various horticulture crops, the farmers by and large harvested a good crop.

However, this year the situation seems diametrically different with a long-drawn-out dry spell becoming a cause of concern for thousands of apple farmers across Kashmir.

While a good snowfall often holds the promise of quality harvest, its continued absence during the ongoing winter has begun leaving thousands of farmers, particularly the apple cultivators, distraught.

“We are deep into Chillai Kalan – the harshest leg of winter - and still there is no snowfall. It is a cause of worry for the farmers’ community,” said Muhammad Ashraf Wani, a fruit grower and former president of Fruit Mandi Shopian.

He said that apart from spurring water shortages, the dry spell would significantly affect the yield and quality.

“The warmer temperatures could also precipitate early flowering of stone fruits,” Wani said.

A significant dip in temperature coupled with a good snowfall is imperative for the quality and good production of apples and other crops.

Experts say that the lack of snowfall and warmer temperatures during winters could lead to poor bud break, which finally impacts the fruit set.

According to them: “It happens as the apple trees cannot get the required chilling hours. The different varieties of apples need different ranges of chilling hours. Red delicious varieties require 900 to 1000 chilling hours while the Gala varieties need around 700 hours. The changing climatic conditions can also spur the emergence of new pests and diseases. Weak blossom quality, poor pollination, and poor quality are also possible due to protracted dry spells during this season. The changing weather conditions can also cause irregular flower opening or even delayed flower opening, which may significantly affect the quality. However, the low-chill varieties like Fuji, Galli, and Mollies Delicious might not encounter many problems.”

Many growers from south and north Kashmir districts said that they were anxiously waiting for snowfall.

Kashmir produces around two million metric tonnes of apples annually.

The industry provides livelihood to more than three million people directly or indirectly