India's northern state of Himachal Pradesh, known as the "Apple State," has long relied on apple cultivation as a vital part of its economy. "Apples are our livelihood," said Daksh Chauhan, an apple grower, reflecting on how apple farming transformed the region from poverty.
The state has faced challenges such as unpredictable weather and traditional farming methods that have hindered growth. However, since 2016, with support from the World Bank’s Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project, significant changes have been implemented to boost production and income for farmers.
New varieties of apples suited for warmer climates were introduced in lower altitudes traditionally used for vegetables. Rajesh Kumar from Solan District switched to these new apples, resulting in increased earnings from Rs. 50,000-60,000 per bigha to nearly Rs. 4-5 lakhs annually. He anticipates further growth in income barring adverse weather conditions.
High-density cultivation techniques have allowed more trees per acre. Karan Singh from Dharo Ki Dhar village noted that he could plant up to 150 semi-dwarf trees per bigha compared to just 20-30 of older varieties. These trees also bear fruit faster and provide higher yields.
Irrigation improvements included forming farmer clusters and constructing minor irrigation facilities, bringing additional land under cultivation and rejuvenating existing orchards. By October 2024, when the project closed, irrigation helped bring an extra 3,100 hectares under apple cultivation.
To improve market access and reduce post-harvest losses, new fruit markets were created and existing ones upgraded. The government’s e-marketplace app facilitated better pricing for farmers like Karan and Rajesh.
Sudesh Kumar Mokhta emphasized the cultural importance of apples: "Apples are our heritage and lie at the heart of the livelihood of our people." International expertise was brought in to upgrade planting materials and train local farmers with insights from New Zealand and Netherlands experts.
Dr. Y S Parmar University played a key role in adapting practices suitable for local conditions while training over 90,000 farmers under the project. Bekzod Shamsiev from the World Bank highlighted the project's potential impact beyond Himachal Pradesh: “There is considerable potential to expand modern fruit farming in other states too.”
Himachal Pradesh is now setting an example in modern fruit farming for other Indian states with horticultural traditions to follow.