Shimla, July 22 : Though much-delayed, the recent spell of rains in the apple growing belt of Himachal Pradesh has brought cheers to the Apple growers as it raised the hopes of saving the apple crop in the ‘fruit bowl’ of the country.
Joint Director at the Solan-based Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry S.P. Bhardwaj, told UNI that fresh good rain in the past 10 days, though much delayed,would be beneficial for the apple crop in this season when the fruit is attaining optimum size.
According to him, regular intermittent rain in high-altitude and mid-hills has increased the moisture content in the soil, which has brought much respite to the apple plant.
”Had the drought prolonged, the situation could have become precarious (the production could have gone down by not less than 60 percent),” Bhardwaj added.
”Now, the moisture is sufficient to help the apple crop to attain the optimum size (85 to 110 mm). Field reports indicate there is comfortable position right now in apple-growing areas.
still, as per estimates of the state horticulture department, the prolonged dry spell during winter and summer in this season has affected the apple crop, especially in mid-hills.
Horticulture director Gurdev Singh said.”As per my estimate, the total production would be 35-40 percent lower than last year’s due to unfavourable weather conditions,” The total production this season will be around 18 million boxes of 25 kg each, considerably less than last year’s 26 million crates, Singh said.
The maximum output – of 28.6 million crates – was recorded in 2006-07.
–Agencies