Snowfall in India gives hope for better apple yields
Last year there was no snowfall in Chillai Kalan, the 40-day period of harshest winter and this year the first three weeks of this period went without precipitation. However, the snowfall last week in all higher reaches and most of the plain areas, gave much needed “face saving” to the Chillai Kalan.
Tariq Ahmad, an apple orchardist from the Pinjura area of Shopian said the lesser snowfall in 2016 adversely affected the apple crop and, due to insufficient water levels in the ground, during summer and autumn months, several crop diseases erupted or intensified.
Shabir Ahmed Bhat, another fruit grower from Shopian told the Kashmir Reader that snow is fundamental for the horticulture sector.
“The sufficient water lessens the intensity of diseases on the fruit trees. This in turn means the orchards have a lesser demand for pesticides,” Bhat said.
Gulzar Ahmed Sheikh, an almond grower from the Chandgam area of Pulwama, told the Kashmir Reader that winter snow is essential for the almond crop, but ironically, the snowfall occurred during a time when almond trees begin blossoming.
“This year due to winter snowfall we expect a bumper almond crop,” he said.
The snowfall also improved prospects of going for new plantations and with many new growers intending to go for high density plantation replacing their older varieties.
Chief Horticulture Officer Pulwama, Farooq Ahmad Mirza said that this year heavy snowfall at appropriate times has rekindled hope for better crops. “The snowfall on time not only helps in maintaining the water cycle but also helps in the suitable dissolution of fertilizers and minerals,” Mirza said.
source: kashmirreader.com
