Srinagar, Oct 26: This year the apple growers in Kashmir valley are concerned over the decline in apple production caused due to the changing weather pattern and climate change.

According to apple growers in the valley, the erratic weather disrupted the usual spray schedule in orchards during May and June, and the unexpected rains resulted in losses for the farmers.

Ishfaq Ahmad, an orchardist from Sopore, expressed his concern, stating that the continuous rains caused scabs with the result it affected apple production.

“This year there is more scab than the previous year. Last year we produced some 350 boxes in ten kanals of land but this year we hardly expect 100 boxes,” he said.

The orchardist said that the dip in temperature following snowfall in the upper reaches has caused pests and diseases in apple orchards and it will impact the quality of the fruit as well.

Ghulam Mohammad, an apple grower from Tangmarg, lamented that farmers constantly face losses and the high prices of fungicides in the market made it unaffordable for small-scale growers.

“Over the years, the apple industry has endured significant losses. Two years ago, heavy snowfall in November damaged branches, and this year, the inclement weather has further affected it,” he said.

The growers said other than the climate change, the apple industry is suffering improper planning and marketing, and above all, the growers do not get remunerative prices for their crops. The growers said that this year they have been hit hard and many farmers were unable to meet the expenses of pesticides and fertilizers.

Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer said that the untimely heavy rains and hailstorm in May and June affected the horticulture industry of J&K and caused enough damage in the fruit orchards.

“This year there is a 40 percent decline in apple production in the valley. North Kashmir, which also produces a sizable quantity, has been badly affected this year,” he said.

Bashir who also heads The New Kashmir Fruit Association said last year they would get some 300 apple trucks in a day in the Fruit Mandi Parimpora and this year they only get some 150 trucks.

He said that the A-Grade apple is fetching good prices in the market these days while the C-Grade apple is not fetching the expected prices.

“The heavy rains and fluctuation of temperature has caused scab in orchards besides that there are black spots in apples which are still not under control,” Bashir said.

He said this year many States in India like Himachal Pradesh would have less production. “Those who have constantly suffered heavy losses for the past several years due to one or the other reason are now extremely anxious with the apprehension of additional losses,” he said.

“We have been demanding crop insurance schemes for horticulture so that growers won’t suffer every year,” Bashir said.

In March also, the valley’s farmers were worried about the early blooming of apple trees, which was an unusual phenomenon that experts attribute to global warming and fluctuating temperatures.

Annually Kashmir produces over 20 lakh mt of apple and in some years touches 25 lakh mt. The 2017 Economic Survey in J&K had said that half of Kashmir’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on the apple industry and over 3.5 lakh hectares are under apple cultivation.