Low Productivity of Fruits, Its Implications and Combating Strategies in Cold Arid Eco-region of Ladakh (J&K)

Abstract

The present study was undertaken with a vision to study the status of commercially important fruit; Apricot and Apple in Ladakh region of J&K state, India. The study is based on the secondary data. The main source of data collection includes; Economic survey, statistical digest, government official records, books, magazines, articles and journals. The data has been analyzed, arranged and interpreted through tabulation and simple percentage method. It was observed that with the increasing demand for these fruits, the area under cultivation in the region has increased, with the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 1.49% and 5.1% for apricot and apple respectively during the decade (2008 – 2017). But the production remained almost static in case of apple, whereas, it decreased with a compounded rate of 2.77% in apricot. The productivity, which determines the economic feasibility of the crop as profitable enterprise, declined in both crops with a CAGR of -4.91% in apricot and -2.9% in apple, this may be attributed mostly to insect pest infestations, especially Codling moth in apple, and aphid and Brown tail moth in apricot. Low density planting systems with traditional varieties, and poor management of orchards has added to the woes. Thus from the study, it can be interpreted that the enterprise need to be restored by switching to the new innovative technologies adapted worldwide like High density planting. This in addition to the high yields may also prove beneficial in losses due to pest damage by reducing the overwintering sites (bark crevices).

Fresh and dry fruit production in Himalayan Kashmir, Sub-Himalayan Jammu and Trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India

“…The maximum area as well as production in Ladakh is under apple production followed by apricot in Leh and equally in Kargil. Ladakh contributes to an area of 1.10% to horticulture cultivation with 0.42% production ( Rehman et al., 2020 ). In the dry fruit category, walnut is produced in highest quantity in the Kashmir region (63.41%), followed by Jammu region (32.79%).…”

Technological Gap in Recommended Practices of Apple Cultivation in Kashmir Valley

“…The possible reason for low productivity in the state was due to low maintenance of orchards, mis-management of cultural practices (Rehman et al, 2020), variability in use of technologies, in-efficient and out-dated techniques that contribute to the lack of commercial success in apple production. Certain factors viz.…”

Role of Pheromone Application Technology for the Management of Codling Moth in High Altitude and Cold Arid Region of Ladakh

“…The new Union territory of Ladakh produces annually 3241 metric tonnes of apples from an area of 598 hectares [5]. The dominating fruit crop of Ladakh is apricot grown over an area of 2127 hectares with an annual production of 12686 metric tonnes ( Table 1).…”

“…In Buddhism, it is a sin to kill insects or any type of pests (boring/sucking/feeding) due to socio-religious constraints. In such situations, the pest populations and the level of fruit damage of all insect pests are increasing at an alarming rate and are being considered a threat to the fruit industry [5,50].…”