The apple trade in Kullu, a district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, is facing a severe threat due to natural calamities. The region, famous for its apple orchards, has been hit by a series of natural disasters, including heavy rainfall, landslides, and hailstorms, which have caused significant damage to the apple crop.
The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) has reported that the apple crop in Kullu has been severely affected by the recent heavy rains and landslides.
- The incessant rainfall has led to waterlogging in the orchards, making it difficult for farmers to access their fields and harvest the apples.
- Additionally, the landslides have blocked roads, hindering the transportation of the harvested apples to the markets.
The apple trade is a crucial part of the economy in Kullu, providing livelihoods to thousands of farmers. The region produces a significant portion of India’s apples, and the damage to the crop is expected to have a considerable impact on the local economy as well as the national apple market.
Farmers in the region are already struggling with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the natural calamities have added to their woes. The government has been urged to provide immediate relief and assistance to the affected farmers.
The Himachal Pradesh government has assured the farmers that it is taking all necessary steps to provide relief and assistance. The district administration has been directed to assess the damage and provide compensation to the affected farmers as soon as possible.
The situation in Kullu is a reminder of the increasing vulnerability of agriculture to climate change. Experts have called for the implementation of climate-resilient agricultural practices to mitigate the impact of natural calamities on the farming community.
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