Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh are facing severe losses this monsoon as continuous heavy rains and landslides have blocked 397 roads and three national highways, disrupting the harvest season. Normally, orchards are in full production at this time, but farmers in districts such as Kullu, Banjar, and Mandi are unable to transport their fruit to markets. In some cases, growers are discarding apples on the roadside as the produce begins to rot.
Kullu and Mandi, the state's key apple-producing areas, have seen major transport routes closed, including National Highway 305 and the Manali four-lane. According to farmers, apples that do reach markets often arrive in damaged boxes, reducing their value. The state government has estimated monsoon losses so far at Rs 2,173 crore (US$260 million), with Rs 27.4 million attributed to horticulture. Farmers' groups have urged the government to intervene directly by purchasing apples to stabilize the sector, which supports 250,000 families and generates about Rs 5,000 crore (US$600 million) annually.
Local growers say the disaster has also damaged other crops such as kidney beans and tomatoes, pushing tomato prices above Rs 100 (US$1.20) per kg. The impact has extended beyond farmers to labourers, commission agents, drivers, and the tourism sector, which has been hit by road closures. Calls are growing for stronger disaster management and improved road infrastructure to prevent similar disruptions in future seasons.
In contrast, recent rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir has been welcomed by apple farmers. In Shopian, a key apple-producing district, orchardists report that the showers have improved fruit colour, boosting prospects for better prices. "Rain at this stage is a blessing for us. The colour of apples improves significantly with good moisture and cooler weather conditions," said farmer Tariq Ahmad Mir.
The largely rain-fed orchards of Kashmir benefit from the improved soil moisture, reducing reliance on costly manual irrigation. Apple farming contributes over 8% to the region's GDP, producing 2.5 to 2.6 million tonnes annually, or around 75% of India's output, and supporting about 3.5 million people. Farmers also expect the rains to help suppress some pest pressure.
Experts, however, caution that the benefits are conditional. Dr Waseem of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology noted that pest populations will decline only if temperatures remain below 25°C, while prolonged humidity could trigger fungal diseases such as Alternaria. Growers of high-density apple varieties, already under harvest, warn that extended rains may cause cracking in mature varieties such as Gala.
Together, the two regions highlight the contrasting impacts of the monsoon on India's apple sector, with heavy rains devastating Himachal's crop but offering timely support to Kashmir's orchards.
Source 1: Down To Earth
Source 2: Greater Kashmir
