Dry spell, lack of snow worry Himachal apple growers

A prolonged dry spell and lack of snowfall in Himachal Pradesh have left apple growers and horticulture experts anxious, with fears that if current conditions persist, the apple crop could suffer significant losses in yield and production.

The concerns are not unfounded as, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dry weather conditions are likely to prevail over the State in the coming week as well. The IMD forecast on Saturday (January 10, 2026) also pointed out that the minimum temperature could see a gradual rise of about two to five degree Celsius over the next four to five days.

“Since the middle of October until now it has been mostly dry weather in Himachal Pradesh. In November, the State saw 95% less rain than normal and in December, the rain was 99% below normal. There’s hardly any chance of rain or snow in the State in the next week as well,” Sandeep Kumar Sharma, senior scientist at IMD, Shimla, told The Hindu on Saturday.

“We are witnessing unusual dry weather conditions this winter season. The higher reaches have experienced a mild spell of snowfall, but largely it has been dry weather. Even in the next week, dry climatic conditions are expected to continue,” he said.

Apple growers and horticulture experts assert that prolonged dry conditions are not favourable for the apple crop, as it could adversely affect quality and productivity. New apple plantations in orchards are particularly susceptible to dry climatic conditions and could face damage.

Apple is the most important fruit crop of Himachal Pradesh, accounting for about 49% of the total area under fruit crops and about 85% of the total fruit production.

“There has been no snow so far, which is not a good sign for the crop. Apple trees need a specific period of cold temperatures, or chilling hours, especially in the January to February months during winter dormancy to bloom and fruit properly. Without adequate snow and cold, trees may experience poor flowering, uneven bud break and reduced fruit set. Besides, snow acts as a natural moisture reservoir, gradually releasing water into the soil, and without it, the soil dries out faster, affecting root health and nutrient uptake. Drier conditions will allow more pests to survive, potentially increasing infestations during the growing season,” Bhupinder Sharma, an apple grower from Kotgarh village in Shimla district, said.

“All this could result in lower yields and poor-quality fruit, which would bring economic loss to the growers,” he added.

The apple industry is the backbone of Himachal Pradesh’s economy, contributing approximately ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 crore annually and supporting over 1.5 lakh families, primarily small and marginal farmers.

Horticulture scientist and former joint director with the University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, S.P. Bhardwaj noted that while the chilling hours requirement for the crop may be met, the lack of snowfall remains a serious concern.

“Cold conditions have been prevailing in the State for the past many days, which may help in attaining the chilling hours requirement for apple, but if dry weather conditions continue and there is no snowfall, then certainly it could have an adverse impact on the crop. We have been witnessing erratic snow in the past few years. Snow provides insulation and temperature regulation and due to it, the incidence of pests and diseases is contained. In the absence of snow, there is always a greater chance of early emergence of pests and diseases,” Mr. Bhardwaj said.