In apple orchards, trees are covered with anti-hail nets to prevent damage to the crop due to hailstorm. , Photo credit: VV Krishnan
TeaThe use of high-density apple varieties and artificial intelligence (AI) in production, it is widely believed, has benefits such as increased capital investment and mechanization, but it is also causing a major disruption to the industry in Himachal Pradesh. Is.
Apple production plays a major role in the economy and employment of the state. Recent developments in science, technology and germination have ushered in major changes in this area. In 1950–1951, 500 hectares of land was under apple production; This increased to 5,025 hectares by 1960–61; and 1,15,016 hectares by 2021-22.
Last year, rising cost of production and an increase in the Goods and Services Tax on cartons triggered protests in the state. Big players have already entered the market and are influencing the procurement of the crop. This unrest was one of the reasons for the party’s defeat in the assembly elections held last December. The present Congress government has announced the implementation of Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti and Universal Carton for packaging of apples.
However, changes in production continue to disrupt this sector. In Gumma in the Kotkhai region, Vishal Shangta, a wealthy farmer, experimented with new imported varieties from a nursery in Italy. He planted 1,500 saplings in 4,000 square metres. These plants were the rootstock. The difference between the traditional method of planting and the new varieties is that the earlier plants matured in 10–12 years while the rootstock varieties started bearing fruits in three years. The cost of planting 1,500 rootstocks is around ₹30 lakh, and the plantation is done in a protected environment. The harvesting method is highly mechanised. Earlier, plants were planted on hill slopes or in fields, while new plants were planted nearby, covering the base with artificial material to ensure that water was conserved and the growth of weeds was prevented. Can be stopped This new method of farming produces double the production of the traditional method.
AI plays an important role in production. AI Bengaluru-based company Fasal, which has investors from Singapore and Australia, is providing AI infrastructure to map soil moisture, read the IMD portal and advise the farmer on providing nutrients and water to the plant . An apple grower from Gumma showed me the app to check on the health of his plants. Crop sums up all the data.
Professor Vijay Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, says that the major problem with these plants is that they cannot survive without continuous water. This is because rootstocks have shallow roots. An average of 10 liters of water per week is required for each plant and drip irrigation is used for this.
These high density varieties are making large inroads in Himachal. Rich farmers are shifting to this form of production where the capital cost of investment ranges between ₹30 lakh and ₹1 crore depending on the size of the farm. They cite the examples of China, Europe and the US, where the yield per hectare is almost five times that of India, to argue that there is no other option but to shift to this form of production.
But 95% of apple farmers cannot bear the burden of this change. Professor Singh points out that the effects of this change will be visible soon, as most of them have started exploiting water through boring, both legally and illegally, which can disturb the ecosystem. Furthermore, geographic and environmental variations are unpredictable. Unseasonal rains this year could have a major impact on production. With these variations, it is difficult to ensure a set pattern of cropping. This change points to the almost complete failure of government agencies, especially the extension centers of horticulture universities and the much-hyped Krishi Vigyan Kendras. It is the YouTubers who are the leaders guiding this change, not the teachers in the universities.
Rootstock plants are not natural. Only time will tell if they will be able to withstand the effects of climate change and help farmers. But what is known is a rapid transformation from large scale horticultural production to a class of prosperous producers.
Tikendra Singh Panwar is a former elected Deputy Mayor of Shimla and an urban businessman. He was also the President of Himachal Kisan Sabha.