Apple Farming in India

Talk about temperate fruits that are also highly profitable in the commercial sense, the Apple fruit (Malus pumila) easily takes away the cake. Not only is it the oldest fruit grown in the temperate zone all across the world but it is also the 4th most widely grown fruit on earth, following bananas, oranges, and grapes. 

China is the largest producer of apples in the world. When it comes to India it is mostly produced in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Nagaland, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. 

Of all major apple producing states, Himachal Pradesh is one of the largest producers of apples in India contributing about Rs 5,000 crore to the Indian fruit economy. 

Apples are mainly grown in districts of Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur, and some parts of Lahaul & Spiti and Mandi regions with Shimla dedicating 39,460 hectares of land for the cultivation of the crop.  

Although today Himachal Pradesh has become synonymous with being one of the largest producers of apples in India it was not always the case.

Apple farming in India dates back to 1870 with Captain RC Scott from British Army introducing apples in Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh, but back then it did not become popular among locals as they brought with them some sour varieties of apples (Newton Pippin, Cox’s Orange Pippins)  that did not go well with Indian palettes.

Apple farming in India was first popularised by an American named Samuel Stokes who came to India in 1904 to help the less fortunate, and settled in a small town/region named Kotgarh in 75kms north of Shimla town, that then served as British capital of India.. 

He brought some graftings of the apple variety Red Delicious which was popular in the United States and planted them in the hills of Shimla on his own farm in the year 1916.  

The crop was a huge success which encouraged the local farmers to also try their hand at it. 

As a result, apples from farmers in India began to be associated with good quality produce, and so by the year 1928, Himachal Pradesh had become the "Apple state of India" thanks to the efforts of Samuel Stokes who also started training future horticulturists of the region in order to further encourage them to cultivate the crop in the region.

With apples being the most cultivated crop in the state it does not come as a surprise that as much as 48% of the area in the state is used for apple cultivation. Apples are mostly produced by the regions Shimla, Kinnaur, Kullu, and some regions of Lahaul Spiti, Mandi, Bilaspur, Chamba and some parts of Sirmaur. The temperature conditions, the altitude and soil quality in these regions favour the apple production, thereby making farmers of these regions heavily dependent on their crops for livelihood. The strenuous labour work in these difficult terrains and year long care for apple plants makes it not so simple to produce, but then when was farming ever simple. :)

The overall duration of apple season in the state starts in June and stretches until November depending on the altitude. Mostly in the higher and mid regions of the state, the season starts in June and reaches its peak in the month of August when the harvesting of the crop is done.

Aside from the existing popular varieties of apples including traditional Red Royal, Golden Delicious, early varieties such as Tydeman, and Red Goldens, in recent years more and more varieties have been entering the market. Some of the most popular varieties of apples that are grown in apple producing states are:

• Dark Baron Gala 
• King Rot
• Gale Gala
• Fuji
• Redlum Gala
• Granny Smith

Today, apples from farmers in India are popular all across the world with more than 90% of the total produce flooding the domestic market. 

Although there are other regions that also produce apples such as Jammu and Kashmir what makes the consumers prefer apples from farmers in Himachal Pradesh is the fact that they are juicier with thicker skin which is great for better storage and also gives a longer shelf life.