The horticulture department anticipates a production of 28.1 million boxes of apples across 115,000 hectares in India, mirroring figures close to the previous year despite adverse weather conditions. Last season, the output was over 21.1 million boxes. This contrasts with the 2009-10 period when 99,564 hectares yielded 51.1 million boxes, highlighting a production decrease over the years despite an increased cultivation area. The year 2013 saw the second-highest yield since 2009-10, with 36.9 million boxes.
Weather conditions have been less than ideal for apple cultivation from the year's start, with a notable lack of snowfall during winter, particularly affecting lower altitude regions. The absence of snow failed to meet the necessary chilling hours for apple trees. Furthermore, February's drought-like conditions and the subsequent long wet spells from mid-March through April and May significantly impacted flowering and fruit set, exacerbated by an average temperature rise to 15° C, well above the optimal 8° C.
"Apple production is highly dependent on weather conditions. Unfavourable weather patterns in recent years, such as insufficient snowfall in winter, untimely rain, hailstorms during flowering, and drought, have adversely affected apple yields," explained Dr SP Bhardwaj, a horticulture expert. Additionally, an apple grower from Kotkhai and head of Harish Chauhan Sanyukt Kisan Manch highlighted the severe impact of this year's weather, stating, "This year has been bad for the growers as it did not snow in winter which did not help in fulfilling the chilling hours while it hailed and rained during the blooming time disturbing the pollinating pattern." The region's apple belt also experienced frequent hailstorms in April and May, severely damaging crops, especially for growers without anti-hail nets, who reported up to 70% crop losses.
Source: pressherald.com