In a significant development for Himachal Pradesh’s horticulture sector, the prolonged cold spell this December has brought renewed hope for apple and other fruit growers.
For the first time in 20 years, the crucial “chilling hours” period for fruit crops has commenced in December, boosting expectations of a bumper harvest in the coming season.
What are chilling hours?
Chilling hours are defined as the number of hours when temperatures range between 0°C and 7°C, essential for fruit trees like apples and stone fruits to undergo dormancy.
This process ensures uniform flowering and optimal fruit setting. Typically, the chilling period spans from December to March, but it has often begun late in recent years, affecting fruit production adversely.
This year, however, the timely onset of chilling hours, coupled with favourable rainfall, has revived hope among apple growers for meeting the required dormancy hours, essential for varieties like Red Delicious, Royal, Spur and Gala apples.
Rs 6,000 crore horticulture economy
Himachal Pradesh, often referred to as the “Fruit State of India”, boasts a horticulture economy valued at Rs 6,000 crore.
Apples alone account for nearly 85% of the state’s horticultural produce, covering over 1.16 lakh hectares of farmland. Other fruits, including pears, cherries, plums, and dry fruits like almonds, also rely heavily on adequate chilling hours during winter for high-quality yield.
A horticulture expert said, “The early start of chilling hours this December is a rare and welcome phenomenon. While snowfall has been less than expected, the rainfall has helped maintain soil moisture, which is vital for deep-rooted trees like apples. If weather conditions remain favorable, we could witness a significant boost in apple production this year.”
