Farmers demand to start WB project soon in HP
THIS TIME THE LONG DRY SPELL HAS AFFECTED THE APPLE ORCHARD PRACTICES AND IS LIKELY TO HIT THE FRUIT PROSPECTS
SHIMLA: As weather plays a spoilsport for the horticulture sector in the state, farmers have been demanding speedy implementation of the World Bank funded project that has the special budget for strengthening the irrigation infrastructure in the state.
During this winter, the long dry spell and insufficient rain have spoiled the fruit setting prospects especially apple. Despite the recent snowfall, the rain deficit for the month of January so far is 90%.
As per the official data, apple growing districts Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur and Chamba have seen rain deficit of 81%, 84%, 81%, 98% and 97% respectively. Farmers now want government to strengthen the irrigation infrastructure in the state.
An apple orchardist, Vinod Mehta, said less rain and scorching summer will not be favourable for apple and other fruit crops. “We don’t have much water for irrigation and the infrastructure is also poor,” said Mehta.
The state government should focus on strengthening the irrigation infrastructure in the state, said Kunaal Chauhan, a farmer. “We are shifting on rootstocks and that require more water for irrigation.
Under the WB project, there is separate provision for the irrigation infrastructure. Government should roll out this project as soon as possible,” he added.
State horticulture department’s principal secretary, JC
Sharma, said the WB funded project would support setting up of common irrigation facility which would be provided up to farm head.
“It is also envisaged to provide drip irrigation facility for
high and medium variety plantations and assistance (80%) would be provided under a central scheme being implemented by the horticulture department,” he said.
APPLE ECONOMICS
Apple constitutes 90% of the fruit crops of the state, and is the main source of livelihood for people from seven out of 12 districts in Himachal.
As per the government data, during 2014-15, 581 metric tonnes of apple was produced; in 2013-14, it was 739 metric tonnes; 412 metric tonnes in 2012-13; 275 metric tonnes in 2011-12, and in 2010-11, there was a record production of 892 metric tonnes of apple.
The data further states that the area under apple cultivation has increased to 107,686 hectares from 3,025 hectares in 1960-61.
It is produced in Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, Lahaul-spiti, Mandi, Chamba and Kinnaur districts and has the economy of around ₹ 3,500 crore.
The fruit production has increased by 23.5% from 7.52 lakh metric tonnes in 2014-15 to 9.29 lakh metric tonnes in 2015-16.