Lack of chill hours may hit fruit productivity
Sunil Chadha
Shimla: The prolonged dry spell and near-absence of snowfall so far this winter have triggered deep concern among apple orchardists across Himachal Pradesh, who fear serious consequences for the fruit crop. With December ending as one of the driest in over a century and January beginning with mostly clear skies, growers say the lack of chill hours could hit apple productivity in the coming season.
Apple cultivation in Himachal depends heavily on sustained winter snowfall, which ensures adequate chilling, soil moisture and pest control. This year, however, large parts of the mid and high hills remain snowless, leaving orchards exposed and farmers anxious.
‘Trees need rest, but winter feels missing’
Orchardists say apple trees require prolonged cold conditions to enter dormancy and flower properly in spring. Chaman Tanta, an apple grower from Jubbal in upper Shimla region, said the situation is worrying.
“December is normally the month when we expect regular snowfall. This year, winter has almost vanished. Without enough chill hours, flowering will be uneven and fruit setting will suffer,” Tanta said, adding that growers are already bracing for losses if the pattern continues.
He said the absence of snow has also reduced soil moisture, forcing farmers to depend on limited water sources even during peak winter.
Pest risk and falling moisture levels
Vinay Chauhan, an apple orchardist from Ratnari in Kotkhai in Shimla, said the dry winter could lead to an increase in pests and diseases. “Snow acts like a natural cleanser for orchards. Without it, pests survive easily and farmers may have to spend more on sprays. That directly increases input costs,” he said.
Chauhan pointed out that while some higher reaches received light snowfall recently, it was “too little” to compensate for the overall deficit. “A few centimetres of snow cannot replace weeks of sustained winter precipitation,” he added.
‘If this continues, impact will be severe’
Satpal Chauhan, an orchardist from Baghi in Kotkhai, said the changing weather pattern is becoming a recurring problem. “Every year winters are getting shorter and drier. Apple farming is becoming more uncertain. If snowfall does not improve in January and February, the impact on the next crop will be severe,” he warned.
He also expressed concern over drying springs and water sources, saying that prolonged dryness is affecting not just apples but overall rural livelihoods in hill areas.
Meteorological data shows that Himachal Pradesh recorded 99% less rainfall than normal in December, making it the sixth driest December in the last 124 years. While the weather department has forecast clear conditions for the coming days, orchardists continue to look to the skies, hoping for sustained snowfall to rescue the upcoming apple season.
