Summary
Indian farmers and researchers are experimenting with growing apples in warmer parts of India, like Maharashtra, to meet rising demand. These efforts focus on using low-chill apple varieties that need fewer cold hours to grow, though success has been limited due to the warmer climate and soil conditions.
Key Facts
- Jammu and Kashmir is India's largest apple-growing region.
- A farmer in Maharashtra, Kakasaheb Sawant, planted apple trees in a subtropical area where temperatures can reach 43°C.
- Most of Sawant's apple trees survived, and the farm has attracted visitors, but the apples are not sweet enough to sell.
- India’s apple production grew by 15% over the last five years but is still not enough to meet demand, leading to increased imports.
- The best apple-growing regions have long winters with temperatures between 0°C and 6°C.
- Scientists are exploring low-chill apple varieties that need about 400 hours of cooler temperatures.
- In Ranchi, eastern India, researchers are testing low-chill apple varieties with limited success.
- These experimental apple varieties face challenges like poor climate and soil conditions and termite attacks.
