Uttarkashi: A sudden change in weather in the month of March has brought both relief and concern to farmers in Uttarkashi district. Rain and snowfall in the Harsil Valley have proved a lifeline for apple orchards, while pea crops in Purola have suffered damage.
Apple growers in Harsil Valley were worried about early flowering of trees due to warmer weather and lack of rain. Flowering usually begins after April 10, which is considered ideal for fruit setting. However, rising temperatures had threatened to trigger flowering much earlier this year, raising fears of poor yield.
Moisture has returned to the soil and trees
The recent rain and snowfall have eased these concerns. Farmers say the moisture has returned to the soil and trees, reducing the risk of early flowering. Local growers like Mohan Rana, Sanjay Panwar, and Rajesh Panwar expressed hope that flowering will now occur at the right time in April, ensuring better fruit setting and a good harvest.
Uttarkashi’s Apple Hub
Uttarkashi district is the largest producer of apples in Uttarakhand, with an annual output of nearly 29,000 metric tons from the Ganga and Yamuna valleys. Harshil’s juicy apples are in high demand across the country. However, production has become increasingly dependent on weather conditions in recent years, with delayed snowfall, unseasonal rains, and hailstorms often affecting yields.
This season too, winter snowfall was delayed, worrying farmers. The latest spell of rain and snow has therefore come as a blessing, reviving hopes for a strong apple crop.
Damage to Pea Crops
While apple growers are relieved, pea farmers in Purola’s Rama and Kamal Sirai areas are facing losses. Farmers said that rain was needed earlier when the crops were growing. Without timely rainfall, the pea plants began to dry up.
They explained that the recent rain will not benefit peas, though wheat crops may gain from the moisture. The damage to peas, a major cash crop in the region, has left farmers worried about their income this season.