Weeks of heat and dry climate circumstances have taken their toll on stone fruit in Himachal Pradesh. The dry spell has affected the produce, although farmers and authorities companies had predicted bumper yield this time after lean season final 12 months.

The climate circumstances have impacted the fruit growth and resulted in early ripening of cherry. “The dry spell has been unusually long this time. We expected a good crop, but the weather vagaries have reduced the yield,” stated progressive fruit grower Anup Bhalaik of Kotgarh, often known as the fruit bowl of the state.

“Cherry crop is normal this year and prices are good. Their demand is high in Delhi and Bengaluru markets. This year, companies from metro cities have sent their agents to the Cherry grown areas. This reduces the efforts of farmers to transport their produce to markets outside the state. Growers are getting good rates at their doorstep. This is a fair model of marketing,” stated Sher Singh Chauhan, a cherry grower from Kharahan in Rampur subdivision.

Apart from apple, cherry manufacturing performs an necessary function within the financial system of fruit growers within the state. “Last year, the state had produced 350 metric tonnes of cherry. Timely rainfall can shoot up the production of cherry up to 375 metric tonnes this year,” said Naresh Thakur, managing director, Himachal Pradesh Marketing Board, adding that big corporate companies like Reliance and Big Basket procure cherry from Himachal.

More than seven varieties of cherries are grown in the mid and high-altitude regions of Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts. At least 10,000 small farmers grow cherries on nearly 550 hectares of the total fruit growing area with 75% cherry cultivation done in Shimla district only, mainly in Narkanda, Kotgarh, Baghi, Matiana, Kumarsain and Thanadhar. The cherry crop has emerged as an alternative in the apple-growing areas.

This year, the cherry producers are getting good prices ranging between 120 300 per kilogram pack in the wholesale. “The demand for cherry is more among the tourists, but arrival is very less in the market so far,” stated Riyan, a fruit vendor in Shimal’s Lakkar Bazaar.

Cherry is grown in areas above 2,100 meters above sea degree. Sweet cherries require little or no irrigation as in comparison with different fruits. Cherry bushes begin bearing fruit 5 years after planting. If taken excellent care of, one plant can bear fruit for as much as 50 years. An common of 25kg of fruit is produced on one tree.

Cherry is often harvested in May. It needs to be plucked in a month and bought instantly available in the market. Cherry season lasts just one month. The state lacks amenities to retailer the cherry crop for an extended length.

Some of the varieties grown in Himachal are Durone Nera, Stella, Merchant, Frogmore Early, Black Heart, Bedford, Prolofik, Emperor, Francis and Celsius.

Cherries have many medicinal properties. It is wealthy in antioxidants, calcium and magnesium. Cherry manufacturing is more likely to go up by 25MT this 12 months.

Pea crop affected too

The extended dry spell has additionally adversely impacted the pea crop in Shimla district. Peas are sown on 3,500 hectares of land throughout the district. “There has been no rainfall for the past one and a half month. The crop is beginning to dry up,” stated a farmer, Krishan Chand Sharma.