Prolonged dry spell, less snow may reduce apple production
Baramulla, Feb 2: Like other parts of the Valley, North Kashmir too witnesses an unusual dry winter with around 85 percent rainfall deficit in January month and significantly less snowfall. The apple orchardists across the north Kashmir are deeply concerned over the apple production this year.
Abdul Rashid, an orchardist from Rafiabad area of Baramulla district, while highlighting the importance of the snow for the better yield said, “Snow provides important chilling hours for bud formation. Besides, it acts as a moisture retainer.”
Worried over the almost prolonged dryness, he said, “If this dry spell continues, it will badly affect the upcoming apple harvest.”
The Jammu and Kashmir especially north Kashmir over the past few years, has witnessed drastic change in snowfall patterns. Although, first spell of snowfall in January this year, raised some hope. However, there has been no further snowfall in this winter with the result it has caused anxiety among the orchardists of north Kashmir.
Khurshid Ahmad, an apple grower from Achabal Rafiabad said that most of the varieties of apple require maximium number of chilling hours for the proper bud formation.
“The lack of snowfall can disrupt the blooming cycle of apple trees. Which further can lower the yield and also affect the quality of the fruit,” said Ahmad. “Snow ensures moisture retention in the soil besides it protects trees from possible disease causing germs. However, with almost no snow this winter especially across north Kashmir, we fear moisture deficiency, affected bud development and disease hit crop,” added Ahmad.
Worried over the inconsistent weather for the last more than five years, the apple growers from apple rich area Sopore , which has one of the largest fruit mandi say that unpredictable snowfall in the past few years has already affected their apple yields.
They said a decade back, Kashmir used to receive a good snowfall which will result in the good yield. However, the changing weather pattern has now changed the scenario.
“The changing weather pattern has caused immense loss to scores of orchardists across north Kashmir as it has declined the apple production to a large extent. Due to the unpredictable weather, the growers are unable to make profit,” said Bashir Ahmad Lone, an apple grower from Nadihal Baramulla.
Pinning hope on the February month, the orchardists say that they hope that February month will witness some snow otherwise it will be disaster for the apple grower community. “If February does not bring snow, it will be then disaster for the apple economy," they said.