Apple is probably the most ancient fruit. We find the mention about this fruit even in The Holy Bible (the forbidden apple of the Garden of Eden). Since time immemorial, apple has been a component of our diet in various forms. People of the current time appreciate the nutrient content of an apple and thus consume it raw, include it in salads or even cook them to make apple cakes, pie, baked oatmeal etc. Kashmir, also known as the “Paradise on Earth”, is the major producer of this temperate fruit, apple, in India. Climate, soil, and environment make Kashmir a highly favourable place for the growth of apples in India.
There are mainly seven types of apples grown in Kashmir on a commercial scale. They include Ambri Kashmir, American Trel, Delicious, Maharaji Apple, Hazaratbali Apple and Golden delicious apple. Although each variety of apple is bestowed with a distinct taste, they are commonly appreciated for their fleshy, juicy and sweet tasting pulp that has a crunchy texture. We all are aware of an old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Perhaps this saying is based on the immense therapeutic potential of apples as they are rich storehouse of fiber, Vitamin C, antioxidants and Flavonoids. Unfortunately, the production of these apples is threatened as the climatic change takes a big bite.
Climatic changes have been quite erratic in India in the recent past. People have noticed untimely heat waves with increased frequency and intensity than in the past. Monsoons have become untimely, causing heavy unexpected rainfall in some regions leading to floods. There has been an overall increase in the temperature. This year, the valley of Kashmir also had to face the wrath of Nature. Apple orchards are the main plantation crop in Kashmir. The traditional apple plants take almost a decade to grow and start bearing fruits. Since the past few years, Kashmir has been witnessing an early snowfall. In the year 2021, the first snowfall of the season took place in the month of October. The apples on the trees were not ready for harvest and they got completely destroyed when they were submerged under the weight of snow. Late winter or early spring is considered to be the best time for pruning of apples, as the tree is still dormant, and the active growth does not begin for the season. Cut wounds have a chance to dry up before insects come out in the spring. When pruned in late winter, the trees are able to bear the injury caused by the low temperatures during winter. This enhances the growth of the trees and increases the productivity.
Due to the early snow fall, farmers of Kashmir did not get time to prune the tress or collect the products. An untimely dip in the temperatures due to early winter resulted into the general fall of fruit buds, and also inhibited the movement of bees which help in pollination.
Usually, average day time temperatures in the month of March vary by around 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). However, gradually year after year, people of Kashmir are noticing an increase in the temperature during March. This increases the incidences of infectious diseases, thus decreasing the crop productivity.
Farmers sad to see the apples getting destroyed due to untimely snowfall😢
The farmers of Kashmir report that the changing climatic patterns since the past four years has given night mares and affected their livelihood to a great extent. Even after the use of standard pesticides, farmers are not able to protect the quality of apple crop. This is leaving them in a huge debt. In order to feed their families, several farmers have opted to grow alternative crops in their fields. Some of these crops include wheat, mustard, maize and legumes. If most of the farmers shift to these alternative crops, there are chances of increase in the number of rodents in that area. The rodents can damage the roots of the apple trees causing their silent death. This will bring a permanent change in the plantation of Kashmir and we are going to miss the taste of juicy apples from Kashmir.
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