Dehradun: The yield of major fruit crops like good quality apple, pear, peach plum and apricot has declined in the last seven years in Uttarakhand due to hot climate, according to a study.
A study conducted by Climate Trends, an organization that researches in the field of environment and climate change, said that there has been a huge decline in the yield and area of cultivation of these major fruits during this period.
It said the decline is particularly notable for temperate fruits compared to tropical fruits. Changing temperature patterns in the state can partly be explained by changes in horticultural production.
The study said that as a warming climate is causing some fruit varieties to become less productive, farmers are turning to tropical alternatives, which are better suited to changing climate conditions.The study said Uttarakhand has witnessed a massive decline in the area of horticulture production, which also coincides with a decline in the yield of major fruit crops in the state between 2016-17 and 2022-23. The greatest decline has been seen in the production of temperate fruits grown at high altitudes such as pear, apricot, plum and walnut.
The study revealed that the area under apple production declined from 25,201.58 hectares in 2016-17 to 11,327.33 hectares in 2022-23, leading to a 30 percent decline in yield.
The yield of lemon varieties reduced by 58 percent. In comparison, Tropica fruits were less affected.For example, despite a decline in cultivated area by about 49 and 42 per cent, the production of mango and litchi remained relatively stable with a marginal decline of 20 and 24 per cent respectively.
Variation in fruit production area in Uttarakhand between 2016-17 to 2022-23 reveals significant changes in the pattern of cultivation of different types of fruits. The increase in guava and gooseberry production indicates a shift towards fruit types that better suit market demand or local conditions.
According to the study, after Dehradun, the highest decline in cultivated area was recorded in Tehri. On the other hand, Almora, Pithoragarh and Haridwar recorded a significant decline in both the area under cultivation and the yield of fruits.A warming climate may partly explain these profound changes in horticulture production in Uttarakhand.
The study said the average temperature in Uttarakhand is expected to increase at an annual rate of 0.0 degrees Celsius between 1970 and 2022. The state has recorded an increase of about 1.5 degrees Celsius during the same period, while temperatures at higher altitudes have increased.
Research shows that relatively warm winter temperatures in high-altitude areas have accelerated snowmelt, leading to a rapid decline in snow-covered areas. Over the past 20 years, winter temperatures in the higher reaches of the state have increased at the rate of 0.12 °C per decade.In Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Rudraprayag districts, snow-covered areas have reduced by about 90-100 km in 2020 compared to 2000.
Winter cold and snow are prerequisites for the growth and flowering of fruits like apple, plum, peach, apricot, pear and walnut grown at the higher altitudes of the Himalayas.
Exceptionally warm winters, low snowfall and shrinking snow cover have led to unusual patterns of bud break followed by reduced flowering and yield of temperate fruits. “Traditional temperate crops such as high-quality apples have to endure the dormant period. During (December-March) 1200-1600 hours require cooling of less than seven degrees Celsius. Dr Pankaj Nautiyal, head of ICAR-CSSRI and senior scientist in horticulture at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, said, “Apple requires two-three times more snowfall than the snowfall received in the region in the last five-10 years, which leads to poor crop production. Quality and yield.,
Mohan Chaubatia, a farmer from Ranikhet, said, “There is a lot of trouble due to less rain and snow.”
He further said that the production of temperate fruits in Almora has reduced to half in the last two decades. He said farmers who cannot afford irrigation have been most affected due to increasing dry winters and low fruit productivity in the state. The warm climate is conducive to the cultivation of tropical fruits while the warm temperatures favor the growth of winter fruits. hinders. Therefore, farmers are gradually turning to tropical alternatives.In some districts of Uttarakhand, farmers are choosing less cold-tolerant apple varieties or using tropica alternatives like kiwi and pomegranate in place of hard nut fruits like plum, peach and apricot.
In fact, an experiment has also been conducted in high density cultivation of Amrapali variety of mango in the lower hills and valleys of Uttarkash district, which has yielded high profits to the farmers. Suggesting the way forward, Dr. Subhash Nataraj, Head, Agriculture Physics Division, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi said the decline in horticulture production in Uttarakhand portends a bleak future for the once thriving industry.
“Short-term variability and trends in temperature are of concern, and there is a need to study long-term trends in relation to climate change and its yield, in particular, its relationship with any changes in crop/harvest patterns or changes in crop/crop Pattern," he said. Therefore, it is necessary to move towards climate resilient practices to protect the horticulture sector from future risks, he said.
A study conducted by Climate Trends, an organization that researches in the field of environment and climate change, said that there has been a huge decline in the yield and area of cultivation of these major fruits during this period.
It said the decline is particularly notable for temperate fruits compared to tropical fruits. Changing temperature patterns in the state can partly be explained by changes in horticultural production.
The study said that as a warming climate is causing some fruit varieties to become less productive, farmers are turning to tropical alternatives, which are better suited to changing climate conditions.The study said Uttarakhand has witnessed a massive decline in the area of horticulture production, which also coincides with a decline in the yield of major fruit crops in the state between 2016-17 and 2022-23. The greatest decline has been seen in the production of temperate fruits grown at high altitudes such as pear, apricot, plum and walnut.
The study revealed that the area under apple production declined from 25,201.58 hectares in 2016-17 to 11,327.33 hectares in 2022-23, leading to a 30 percent decline in yield.
The yield of lemon varieties reduced by 58 percent. In comparison, Tropica fruits were less affected.For example, despite a decline in cultivated area by about 49 and 42 per cent, the production of mango and litchi remained relatively stable with a marginal decline of 20 and 24 per cent respectively.
Variation in fruit production area in Uttarakhand between 2016-17 to 2022-23 reveals significant changes in the pattern of cultivation of different types of fruits. The increase in guava and gooseberry production indicates a shift towards fruit types that better suit market demand or local conditions.
According to the study, after Dehradun, the highest decline in cultivated area was recorded in Tehri. On the other hand, Almora, Pithoragarh and Haridwar recorded a significant decline in both the area under cultivation and the yield of fruits.A warming climate may partly explain these profound changes in horticulture production in Uttarakhand.
The study said the average temperature in Uttarakhand is expected to increase at an annual rate of 0.0 degrees Celsius between 1970 and 2022. The state has recorded an increase of about 1.5 degrees Celsius during the same period, while temperatures at higher altitudes have increased.
Research shows that relatively warm winter temperatures in high-altitude areas have accelerated snowmelt, leading to a rapid decline in snow-covered areas. Over the past 20 years, winter temperatures in the higher reaches of the state have increased at the rate of 0.12 °C per decade.In Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Rudraprayag districts, snow-covered areas have reduced by about 90-100 km in 2020 compared to 2000.
Winter cold and snow are prerequisites for the growth and flowering of fruits like apple, plum, peach, apricot, pear and walnut grown at the higher altitudes of the Himalayas.
Exceptionally warm winters, low snowfall and shrinking snow cover have led to unusual patterns of bud break followed by reduced flowering and yield of temperate fruits. “Traditional temperate crops such as high-quality apples have to endure the dormant period. During (December-March) 1200-1600 hours require cooling of less than seven degrees Celsius. Dr Pankaj Nautiyal, head of ICAR-CSSRI and senior scientist in horticulture at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, said, “Apple requires two-three times more snowfall than the snowfall received in the region in the last five-10 years, which leads to poor crop production. Quality and yield.,
Mohan Chaubatia, a farmer from Ranikhet, said, “There is a lot of trouble due to less rain and snow.”
He further said that the production of temperate fruits in Almora has reduced to half in the last two decades. He said farmers who cannot afford irrigation have been most affected due to increasing dry winters and low fruit productivity in the state. The warm climate is conducive to the cultivation of tropical fruits while the warm temperatures favor the growth of winter fruits. hinders. Therefore, farmers are gradually turning to tropical alternatives.In some districts of Uttarakhand, farmers are choosing less cold-tolerant apple varieties or using tropica alternatives like kiwi and pomegranate in place of hard nut fruits like plum, peach and apricot.
In fact, an experiment has also been conducted in high density cultivation of Amrapali variety of mango in the lower hills and valleys of Uttarkash district, which has yielded high profits to the farmers. Suggesting the way forward, Dr. Subhash Nataraj, Head, Agriculture Physics Division, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi said the decline in horticulture production in Uttarakhand portends a bleak future for the once thriving industry.
“Short-term variability and trends in temperature are of concern, and there is a need to study long-term trends in relation to climate change and its yield, in particular, its relationship with any changes in crop/harvest patterns or changes in crop/crop Pattern," he said. Therefore, it is necessary to move towards climate resilient practices to protect the horticulture sector from future risks, he said.