Apple production in HP could touch six lakh tonnes this year

Riding on a normal monsoon and ideal weather conditions, the apple production in Himachal Pradesh could touch a record six lakh tonnes, 114 per cent more than the 2.80 lakh tonnes produced in the previous year.

"Due to ideal temperature and required amount of moisture at the time of plantation, it is estimated that apple production this year could reach a record six lakh tonnes," Himachal Pradesh government horticulture department director Gurudev Singh told PTI from Shimla.

Due to high temperature and inadequate rainfall in 2009-10, apple production had fallen to 2.80 lakh tonnes, Singh added.

He further said that the major apple-producing regions of the state, namely Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur and Mandi, have received adequate rainfall and this has increased the soil moisture levels in these places.
    
"Higher moisture levels provide the right amount of nutrition to apple plants. For better apple production, the temperature should range from 18 degrees to 24 degrees celsius at the time of plantation," Singh said.
    
He said that by the end of July, varieties of apple such as Red Gold and Red June would be available in the market. Also, by mid-August, apple produce would arrive in the markets of Shimla, Kullu and Mandi.
    
Himachal Pradesh constitutes 85 per cent of the total 2.6 lakh hectares of India's area under apple production. Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand are the other apple-producing states in the country.
    
The apple crop year runs from August to December, though in some areas, trees bear fruit by June.
    
In 2008, the total international apple production was seven crore tonnes, China occupying the top spot with 43 per cent share, followed by the US with six per cent share. India was at the seventh position.