Weather fluctuation may affect Kullu apple crop setting

Kullu: Weather has been fluctuating in April; natural calamities such as rain, hailstorms, and strong winds occurred in several parts of the country. The apple growers of Kullu are in a catch-22 situation, thinking bad weather may affect the setting of apple flowers. This may harm this season’s productivity. As per the local orchardists, while the first round of apple flowering is perfect, there is an expectation of two more phases of flowering.

The farmers are nervous, thinking if rain and hailstorms appear during this period, then the apples will be badly damaged. In the third week of April, the district has seen a mix of sunshine, showers, and storms, leaving farmers anxious about the upcoming yield. Growers like Surat Ram, Mohit, Mohar Singh, Jeevan Lal, and Devraj shared their concerns, saying that continuous rainfall during flowering has already impacted fruit setting. They are worried that if this unpredictable weather continues, it may further damage the crop.

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Uttam Parashar, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department, confirmed that the unstable weather can negatively affect the flowering stage, which in turn could reduce both the quality and quantity of apple production this year. He advised all growers to consult horticulture experts before spraying any chemicals or pesticides on their apple orchards.

According to experts, the actual impact of the weather occurs in the first or second week of May. Currently, growers are hoping that the conditions will be better and more favourable in the coming days. Farmers are hoping for bumper productivity this year.