Drought Woes: Shimla's Apple Production at Risk Amid Weather Shifts

Shimla farmers are facing a potential crisis with their apple crops due to a prolonged dry spell and inadequate chilling hours. Traditional apple varieties require specific cooling times, which haven't been met, resulting in restricted plantations and fears of reduced yields. Recent weather patterns have shown deficits in rain, affecting apple and other crops.

In Shimla, the lingering dry spell has left farmers anxious about their apple crops, which now face diminished yields.

Essential cooling hours for both traditional and early apple varieties have been lacking this season, leaving orchardists unable to start new plantations, according to Harish Chauhan, President of the Fruit Vegetable Flower Growers Association.

With traditional varieties still dominant in the state, weather anomalies, including a significant rain deficit over recent months, coalesce to jeopardize the apple output, prompting calls for government intervention to declare the region drought-affected.

(With inputs from agencies.)