Nurturing resilience in apple farming

Climate change is impacting apple growers

Himachal Pradesh, India, is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and, equally importantly, its thriving apple industry. Apples form a cornerstone of the state's economy, contributing significantly to both GDP and agricultural production. However, the industry faces mounting challenges due to climate change, including erratic rainfall patterns and diminishing snowfall.

Recent studies have highlighted the alarming decline in annual snowfall in Himachal Pradesh. This is particularly concerning as snowfall plays a vital role in regulating soil moisture and providing essential chilling requirements for apple trees. Moreover, extreme weather events, such as excessive rainfall during the crucial flowering period, have disrupted pollination and increased the susceptibility of trees to diseases.

The power of balanced nutrition

Yara agronomists, drawing from their extensive experience with apple growers in Himachal Pradesh, observed that farmers who consistently applied balanced nutrition in their orchards over 3-4 years cultivated healthier and more resilient trees. These well-nourished trees exhibited greater resilience against abiotic stresses during the flowering stage, leading to improved fruit set even under extreme weather conditions. In the monsoon period, when disease pressure often escalates, orchards with optimized nutrition fared significantly better, managing to recover from infestations while those with poor practices suffered from issues like premature leaf drop.

Recognizing this stark difference, Yara agronomists have seized the opportunity to educate farmers on the benefits of balanced nutrition as a means of enhancing climate resilience.

A case study: Naresh Kashyap's success

Naresh Kashyap, a progressive farmer from Guthan Village in the Shimla district, stands out as a success story. Over the past eight years, he has adopted Yara’s balanced nutrition practices. In 2023, amid extreme and unpredictable weather patterns, Naresh managed to retain 80% of his crop yield, while the statewide production plummeted to less than 50%.

"Post-harvest nutrition management helps develop stronger buds, which in turn have greater resilience and endurance to withstand harsh weather conditions such as excessive rainfall and cold stress during blooming. As a result, I was able to achieve 80% of the average yearly crop."

Naresh Kayshap, farmer from Guthan Village

He attributes his success to the post-harvest nutrition plan developed by Yara, which equipped him to tackle the climate challenges in apple cultivation.

During the high disease pressure months of July and August, Naresh successfully retained 90% of the leaves in his orchard, whereas orchards with inadequate nutritional practices suffered severe leaf loss.

"It is very important to understand the fundamentals of balanced nutrition. Providing insufficient or excessive amount of any nutrient can compromise the overall health of the trees, leading to increased disease susceptibility and slower recovery. By the end of the season, three out of my four orchards experienced minimal leaf loss, while one orchard retained more than 90% of its leaves," he says.

The way forward

As climate change continues to impact Himachal Pradesh's apple industry, balanced nutrition emerges as a crucial strategy for building resilience. By adopting optimized nutrition practices, farmers can enhance tree health, improve disease management, and maintain yields despite adverse conditions. The success stories of farmers like Naresh Kashyap demonstrate the potential of balanced nutrition to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for apple cultivation in the region.