Climate resilient and apple production in Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh

A small change in the local weather of the fragile mountain ecosystems can bring about large scale changes in the form of soil erosion, land slides and flash floods etc. The rise in average temperature, long spells of drought during summer and less snowfall during winter have reduced large area supposed to be marginally suitable for apple cultivation unfit for the same forcing farmers to shift to cultivation of other cash crops. Apple cultivation has been adversely affected in lower areas of Kullu and Mandi districts and as a result of this the farmers have shifted to cultivation of vegetables like tomato and peas and other viable fruits and hence the apple belt is shifting towards the higher altitudes. The precipitation in Kullu valley was showing no significant trend but increasing frequency of extreme events. The temperatures were increasing with more pronounced rate in minimum temperature. The area under apple and its production is increasing but yield is showing somewhat decreasing trend.