A severe and prolonged dry spell, stretching over three months, has cast a dark shadow over Himachal Pradesh's agricultural heartland. The absence of winter rain and snowfall is causing deep anxiety among apple growers and farmers, threatening the state's most important cash crop and the season's rabi harvest.
Chilling Hours Deficit: A Threat to Apple Quality and Yield
Major apple-producing regions, including Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, and parts of Mandi and Chamba, have recorded virtually no precipitation since the first week of October. This unprecedented dry winter is preventing apple trees from accumulating the crucial chilling hours necessary for proper fruit-setting and development.
"The land is completely dry, and the trees are not getting the required chilling hours for a good-quality crop. If this continues, the season could be a disaster," explained Nageen Thakur, a fruit-grower from Raison village in Kullu district.
Apple varieties have specific chilling requirements. Traditional types like Royal Delicious need between 1,000 to 1,400 hours below 7°C, while newer varieties like Gala require 300 to 500 hours. The current warm days and cold, dry nights are failing to meet these vital benchmarks.
Desperate Measures: Farmers Create Artificial "Snow"
Faced with a natural deficit, many orchardists are turning to desperate, innovative measures. Across the apple belts, farmers are using water sprinklers overnight to artificially create chilling conditions. The sprinklers form layers of ice and icicles on the trees, mimicking the effects of snow.
"Farmers are trying to artificially create snow-like conditions. I am not even sure if this method is advisable," shared Sunil Sharma, another grower from Shirar village near Manali, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding these stop-gap solutions.
The meteorological data underscores the severity of the crisis. Since mid-October, Himachal has been gripped by dry weather. November saw only 1 mm of rain, a shocking 95% deficit from the normal 19.7 mm. December recorded a mere 0.1 mm, the sixth lowest since 1901 and 99% below the average. The first eleven days of January brought only 2.7 mm, an 87% shortfall.
Rabi Crops and Broader Agricultural Impact
The crisis extends beyond orchards. Rabi crops, particularly wheat and vegetables, in the state's low-hill regions are also under severe stress. Districts like Kangra, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, and parts of Solan and Mandi are witnessing drought-like conditions.
Agriculture department officials warn that up to 10% of the state's total wheat production could be impacted. Many farmers delayed sowing in anticipation of rain that never arrived. "We usually finish wheat sowing by mid-December, but this year we are still waiting," said Jitender Kumar, a farmer from Solan, adding that vegetable production of peas, onions, garlic, and carrots has already been badly hit.
The stakes are incredibly high. Apple is the cornerstone of Himachal Pradesh's horticultural economy, occupying about 49% of the total cultivated fruit area and contributing roughly 82.5% of the total fruit production. A failed season would send ripples through the entire state's economic fabric, affecting thousands of families dependent on this key cash crop.
