Apple is the dominant fruit crop in Himachal Pradesh and has become the leading cash crop among fruits. It accounts for 46 per cent of the total area under fruit cultivation and contributes 76 per cent to the region's total fruit production.
With the growing population and increased awareness of balanced diets, the demand for fruits in India is rising rapidly. To meet this demand, improving productivity in existing orchards is essential, as expanding orchard land presents significant challenges.
Despite its prominence, apple productivity in the state has declined significantly over the years. Average yields fell from 10.84 tonnes per hectare (t / ha) in 1981-82 to 6.9 t / ha in 2013-14 and further to 4.4 t / ha by 2016-17, according to the National Horticulture Board.
By 2023, yields had dropped to 4.18 t / ha, as reported in the Economic Survey of India.
Poor management practices, over-reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides as well as adverse effects of climate change pose serious challenges for Himachal Pradesh’s once-thriving apple industry. These factors have degraded soil health, polluted the environment and reduced farmer profitability.
A promising solution to these challenges lies in natural farming, which focuses on utilising local resources, enhancing soil health and promoting sustainable production practices.
Studies conducted at Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station Mashobra, Shimla, have demonstrated positive outcomes, including improved soil health, reduced reliance on chemical inputs, and potential increases in apple yields.
As more farmers embrace natural farming, Shimla's apple industry is poised for a brighter future — one that is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
Natural farming is built on sustainable, eco-friendly principles. Here's how its core practices are transforming apple orchards:
• Jeevamrit: A fermented bio-inoculant made from cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, and water, Jeevamrit infuses the soil with beneficial microbes, boosting nutrient availability.
• Ghanjeevamrit: This nutrient-rich manure combines cow dung, cow urine, soil and jaggery to enhance microbial activity and plant growth.
• Rognashi Dawa and Keetnash Astras: These are natural pesticides made using local resources such as neem and darek leaves, chili, and garlic, offering eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides.
• Mulching: Covering soil with organic materials like straw or live plants reduces moisture loss, suppresses weeds, and promotes earthworm activity, which improves soil structure.
• Crop Rotation: Planting legumes (peas, beans, fenugreek), cereals (wheat, barley), and cruciferous crops (cabbage, cauliflower, sarson) alongside apple trees boosts nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilisation, and pest control while improving soil fertility.
Healthier soil ecosystems in natural practices enhances fruit quality by increasing fruit firmness, flavour, sugar content and colouration.
By fostering habitats for pollinators like bees, natural farming boosts yields and ensures better fruit set.
Moreover, organic mulches and reduced tillage stabilise the soil, especially critical in Shimla's steep terrains.
Natural methods promote earthworm activity, increase microbial diversity, and improve nutrient cycling.
By eliminating chemical inputs, natural farming reduces environmental pollution, protects biodiversity and delivers nutrient-dense, chemical-free food.
It also eliminates dependence on expensive chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Farmers prepare their own organic concoctions using locally available ingredients like cow dung, cow urine, darek leaves, among others.
Studies in Himachal Pradesh have shown significant reductions in cultivation costs — up to 56.5 per cent compared to conventional methods.
The naturally grown apples command premium market value in the conscious consumer market. Additionally, reduced expenses due to eliminating chemical purchases translate to a significant increase in overall profit margins for farmers.
Natural farming cultivates robust apple trees better equipped to handle weather fluctuations. The healthier soil structure allows trees to better withstand extreme temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns — a boon in the face of climate change.
By relying on locally available resources and natural methods, apple farmers become less dependent on external suppliers of fertilisers and pesticides. This reduces vulnerability to price hikes and fosters self-sufficiency within the agricultural community.
Subhash Shadru’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of natural farming. The transition was challenging, marked by difficulties in understanding and adopting new practices. However, Subhash's perseverance paid off.
Within two years, his apple trees thrived, producing larger, juicier apples with enhanced flavour. His expenses dropped significantly and the premium price for his naturally grown apples boosted his profits.
Today, Subhash’s success serves as an inspiration for other apple growers in Shimla. He actively shares his knowledge, fostering a growing movement toward sustainable farming practices in the region.
The rise of natural farming among Shimla’s apple growers marks a transformative shift toward sustainable agriculture. By emphasising organic inputs, healthy soil and reduced chemical reliance, it offers solutions to declining productivity and environmental degradation.
This approach restores soil health, enhances fruit quality and builds resilience against climate change, providing economic prosperity as well as ecological balance.
Success stories like Shadru’s highlight how natural farming revitalises livelihoods and strengthens communities. As more farmers adopt these practices, Shimla’s apple industry is poised for a new era — profitable, environmentally responsible and capable of securing a sustainable legacy for future generations.
Usha Sharma, senior scientist and head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Shimla. Swati Gautam is research fellow, Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Mashobra, Shimla. Upinder Sharma is scientist (soil fertility and chemistry), Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Mashobra, Shimla. Sangita Sharma is scientist (acarology and economic entomology), Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Mashobra, Shimla. Upender Singh, senior scientist (soil fertility & plant nutrition), department of soil science and water management, Dr YS Parmar, University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan. Inder Dev is director of extension education, Dr YS Parmar, University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel is vice chancellor, Dr YS Parmar, University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh.
Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth.