SHIMLA: With the around Rs 2,500 crore apple industry in Himachal Pradesh facing threat from global warming, imports and lack of infrastructure, those associated with apple production have pinned high hopes from the maiden general budget being presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. They expect a major announcement on hike in import duty and food processing industries. While launching his election campaign from Sujanpur town of Hamirpur on February 16, Modi broached the subject of apple cultivation.

Accusing the UPA for failing to protect the interests of apple growers, Modi said he wanted to know why apple prices increased during Atal Behari Vajpayee`s tenure as prime minister and fell under the UPA. He also raised the issue of increase in import duty on apple. According to Modi, the Congress promised to increase import duty on apple during assembly elections but has not delivered so far.

That being the case, apple growers in Himachal Pradesh expect a major announcement on import duty. According to many farmers, packaging is important to deal with international competition. If the government makes provisions to set up a packaging plant or invite investors, it would help cultivators reach out in a better way.

"HP has recently started facing a labour crunch and apple cultivation is labour intensive. If there is a provision of advanced technology and machines in the budget with 80% to 90% subsidy, it would bring in better technology and help cultivators match up to international standards," said Ravinder Chauhan, an apple grower from Kyari, Shimla. Apple production directly affects the livelihood of more than 1.

6 lakh families in nine out of 12 districts in the state. Apple growers also expect Modi to announce setting up of food processing industry and CA stores. "The apple economy of Himachal Pradesh is facing stiff challenge from imported apples from China, US and other countries.

We expect that the Union budget will ensure three times increase in import duty on apple to safeguard the interests of fruit growers in the state," said Ashutosh Chauhan, an apple grower from Ratnari village of Shimla.History of HP apples Global warming has posed a serious threat to apple plantation, which was first introduced in Kullu in 1870 by British captain RC Scot and in 1916 at Thanedar area of Shimla by US citizen Samuel Evans Stokes. He later came to be known as Satya Nand Stokes.

While Scot introduced strains of English sour apples, Stokes introduced a new strain of apples introduced by Stark brothers of Louisiana that changed the economy of state.Climate change hits apples A study conducted by the Centre for Geo-Informatics Research and Training, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur found that the climate change in recent years has decreased productivity of the apple crop. Shifting of the apple belt from Kullu to Lahaul-Spiti and from Kinnaur towards Spiti has left scientists apprehensive about the declining possibility of growing apples in the traditional belt comprising Kinnaur, Shimla and Kullu.

Vital Statistics: Apple production constitutes about 48% of the total area under fruit crops and about 87% of the total fruit production Area under apple cultivation increased from 400 hectares in 1950-51 to 3,025 hectares in 1960-61 and 1,01,485 hectares in 2010-11 Himachal Pradesh is the second largest producer of apples in the country per hectare yield of apples in Himachal Pradesh varies between 4 to 9 metric tons (MT) while per hectare production of apple in New Zealand is more 25 MT..

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