Shimla, July 6 -- Climate change is taking a visible toll on Himachal Pradesh's apple industry, with warmer winters, erratic weather and prolonged dry spells threatening the state's most valuable horticultural crop. Experts and growers warn that the mountain climate, which once provided ideal conditions for apple cultivation, is rapidly changing, raising concerns over the future of an industry that supports nearly 2.5 lakh families and generates an annual income of around Rs 5,000-5,500 crore.
Former Himachal Pradesh University vice-chancellor and orchardist Rajinder Chauhan said the warning signs had been evident for years but had now become impossible to ignore. He attributed the sharp decline in production to inadequate winter snowfall, failed rains, unseasonal spring showers, hailstorms, thunderstorms and erratic temperature fluctuations. The state Horticulture Department shares this assessment.
Apple production is expected to fall by 40-48 per cent this year. According to horticulture experts, output may decline from 6.99 lakh metric tonnes in 2025 to around 4.28 lakh metric tonnes in 2026, equivalent to nearly 2.1 crore apple boxes. The department's figures also show wide fluctuations in production over recent years, highlighting the growing impact of climate variability.
Apple grower Balwant Justa said the absence of timely snowfall and rainfall had severely affected orchards, while the lack of irrigation facilities left farmers heavily dependent on weather conditions. Growers have urged the government to expand irrigation infrastructure and increase awareness about crop insurance schemes to help offset losses.
Production costs have also risen sharply due to higher prices of pesticides, medicines and farm machinery, further squeezing growers' incomes. Stone fruits such as apricot, cherry, peach and plum have also suffered due to rising temperatures and adverse weather.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.