Sir,
This has reference to an Editorial “Modernizing Horticulture” on Thursday the Daily Excelsior, September 5, 2013.
It has rightly mentioned that in Kashmir region of Jammu and Kashmir State, Horticulture is one of the major industries vis-vis tourism and handicrafts, contributing to the economic prosperity of the State. Further, the editorial speaks about the low productivity of Kashmir apple, which on an average is 9.5 tonnes ha-1 in comparison to an Australian apple whose productivity has been stated to the extent of 70 tonnes ha-1. What to talk of Australia, productivity of apple in Kashmir vally is also less than New Zealand apple, where its productivity is found to be 25 tonnes ha-1.
It is remarkable to note that though average yield of apple of Kashmir is low as compared to its yield with foreign countries yet it is the highest among other Indian apple producing states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand, where the productivity of this fruit tree has been recorded to the order of about 6.5 and 3.5 tonnes ha-1 , respectively. There is no doubt that the scientists of Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciencies and Technology , Kashmir and that of Jammu are resorting the best research work to increase the apple production and its productivity. However, during the past three decades, minimum and maximum temperatures have been steadily rising during the winters by around 0.3 to 1.7 degree Celsius. It has affected the apple crop as it requires around 1,200 hours of extreme conditions for a good harvest. As for instance, Director,Horticulture Department Kashmir Division during July 2011 said, “The size of the apple fruit has been affected because of the temperature remaining below normal. A frequent change in the weather during the flowering stage of apple in the months of March and April and frequent rains have damaged the fruit in the Kashmir Valley as well as Jammu Division”. Hence the new strategies are required to be evolved to mitigate the influence of climate change on the apple production as well as the other temperate fruits like cherry,pear ( Bhagu Gosha ) and plums. Another need of the hour is to study the influences of organic or bio-pesticides and biofertilizers on the productivity of apple. It is because organic foods are not only considered more nutritious but are also tastier.
Yours etc……
Prof ( Dr ) R D Gupta
258-C, Sainik Colony
Jammu (J&K)
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