Low temperature, rain hit apple yield in J&K

Low temperature, rain hit apple yield in state
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
Apple production in the state is falling due to the changing weather and is affecting the fruit trade. Frequent changes in the climate and below normal temperature during the flowering stage of apple have affected the yield.

Experts in the Horticulture Department say a survey has shown that the production of apple will be less as compared to last year. “The size of the fruit has been affected because of the temperature remaining below normal. A frequent change in the weather during the flowering stage of apple during March and April and rain have damaged the fruit in the Kashmir valley as well as in Jammu division,” said GH Shah, Director, Horticulture Department, Kashmir division.

He said though the department had adopted various methods to ensure a bumper crop this year, the inclement weather had changed the scenario.

Shah added, “The apple crop has mainly been affected in the Shopian area and some parts of Srinagar district.” The Kashmir region produces a large quantity of apple and the economy of the region is also dependent on horticulture. Even tourism is the second important contributor to the economy of the region.

Apple is also grown in the upper areas of the Jammu region, including Kishtwar and Bhadarwah, where the situation is almost similar to the Kashmir valley this year.

“During the flowering stage of apple, the temperature should remain between 25°C and 30°C. But this year, the temperature has changed frequently and rain has also added to the woes of the the fruit growers,” said Jia Lal Sharma, Director, Horticulture Department, Jammu division.

Sharma maintained that the inclement weather was going to affect the apple production in September. “Normally, at this time of the season, we get an assessment report of the production all across the state, which is showing some decrease at this stage,” he added.

Courtesy: The Tribune