Changing climate damages apple crop in Uttarakhand

Dhana Chuli (Uttarakhand), Jul 13 (ANI): The apple crop has been damaged in Dhana Chuli in Nanital district of Uttarakhand due to deteriorating climatic conditions.

Less rainfall and hailstorms have damaged the crop yield.

Fruiting was good but the decreasing level of much needed low chilling requirement has only worried the apple growers.

"The crop has been totally damaged. Though the crop yield was good but because of the hailstorm, the produce got damaged. And even because of the rising heat the crop yield was less as compared to previous years," said Prayag Bisht, an apple orchard owner.

Temperature rising up by two to three degrees centigrade as compared to the normal one has worsened things for farmers in the region.

As the fruiting was good, the farmers expected a good crop yield but the hailstorm destroyed the apple crop, leaving them small in size and tasteless.

"Because of the hailstorm the crops were damaged. The actual reason for the damaged crop yield is less rainfall and rising temperature, because of which the size of the apple has decreased and they have become tasteless. The farmers are not getting enough returns for the crop," said Kamal Joshi, Forest Development officer, Nainital district.

After poor climatic conditions in the past few years, a number of farmers have also stopped growing apples. (ANI)