Demand for high density apple trees on rise in south Kashmir
Pulwama: The demand for high density Apple varieties is on the rise in south Kashmir as more and more farmers are opting for these high yielding varieties.
Farmers from different areas of south Kashmir said that good demand of high density varieties was observed in last few seasons and now more and more farmers are planting high density varieties.
Growers said that besides demand these high density varieties allow them to cultivate more trees in the same land resulting in higher yields.
Tariq Ahmad, a grower from Pulwama who has high density apples in and around 8 Kanals of land said that he cut down traditional apple trees last year.
“I had groomed my orchard for more than a decade using traditional fruit bearing trees but the yield was not so rewarding and I decided to switch over and sow high yield varieties,” Ahmad added.
“We planted high density apples Red Galla last year and this year we sold them at around Rs 5 lakh while for 15 years, traditional apples trees failed to fetch me 5 lakh,” he added.
Mohammad Ahsan, another grower from Anantnag said that the yield of high density apple trees is at least five times more than traditional varieties with 80 percent less consumption of fertilizers and pesticides.
“In June last year, I spent around 2 lakhs to plant high density apples and this year I have already got more than half of the amount spent,” he said.
He said that high density apples are giving returns on investments to grower in just two years and even customers come running to orchards directly to get our produce.
They said that there are many other options available for high density varieties to protect them from hailstorm and other damages and that isn’t the case for traditional varieties.
People associated with companies planting high density varieties said that they have stopped taking more demands from the growers as they fear that they won’t be able to deliver and plant high density varieties to those only who have submitted documents last year.
They said that with each passing day the demand is increasing and more and more farmers are opting for high density varieties.
Officials said that high density approach facilities ,easier management and harvesting as the compact arrangement of trees enables efficient use of machinery reducing labour costs and streamlining the overall cultivation process.
They said the growing trend will pave the way for sustainable and technology driven horticulture.
KV Online
