In response to a drop in apple production, the Himachal Pradesh government has turned to Italian companies for assistance. The decline in production has been attributed to the low survival rates of imported saplings. As a solution, the government is inviting Italian firms to establish nurseries within the state.
State horticulture and revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi noted that the importation of apple plants is a lengthy process with a low success rate due to delays. The government has tasked the revenue department with identifying 135 hectares of suitable land for apple cultivation. The proposed Italian nurseries will supply hybrid saplings to growers in Uttarakhand, Jammu, and Kashmir.
Himachal Pradesh's record apple production of 51.1 million boxes in 2010 has yet to be surpassed. In 2018, production plummeted to a low of 16.5 million boxes. The state government hopes that establishing nurseries within the state will foster a more favourable environment for plant growth, thereby increasing survival rates.
The Jeromine apple variety, grown in Italy, is highly sought after in lower elevation orchards in Himachal Pradesh. Another popular variety, the Super Chief, is native to America.
Source: hindustantimes.com