Perceptions of Apple Growers on Impact of Climate Change on Apple Production in Mid and High Hills of Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study entitled “Perceptions of apple growers on Impact of Climate Change on Apple pProduction in Mid and High Hills of Himachal Pradesh” had made an attempt to analyse the trends in temperarture, rainfall and apple productivity, and perceptions of apple growers on impact of climate change on apple production. The findings of the study revealed that the temperarure and rainfall has followed a fluctutating trend over the years which caused an negative impact on the productivity of apple since it had been reduced by 11 percent in last few decades, which meant that although apple growers are increasing their area under apple, but production per unit area is not increasing by much amount. there was indeed a change in climate in last decades (79.5%), as there was an increase in intensity of rainfall (77%), increase in hailstorm events (76%), snowfall events (70%), and there was not to mention long-term changes in mean temperature (75%) and mean rainfall (75%). Climate change had furthermore changed the cropping pattern of the study area (76.5%), as there were changes in sowing and harvesting of crops (79.5%). In apple, there were changes in flowering time (76.5%), increase in early fruit maturity (78.5%), decrease in fruit size (78.5%), disease incidence (72.5%), coupled with an observation of new pests (75.5%). So, it was concluded that the impact of climate change has increased in last few decades and it has negatively affected the yield of apple in our state. Therefore, there is a great need among apple growers to adapt their technologies to climate change like exploring new varieties which are high yielding and adaptable to climate change and also going for crop diversification to deal with financial losses. Additionally, government should improve their supportive policies and come up with effective mitigative and adaptive measures which are significant for safegurading the productivity of apple in Himachal Pradesh.