Morung Express News
DIMAPUR | June 20
Apples, for most of us, remind us of Himachal and Kashmir. So if this news comes as a surprise to you, it should. Because for the first time in the north east, an orchard in Assam has started producing apples. What is more significant about this is that the orchard is located right across the border in Khatkhati, some few kilometers away from Dimapur. This could be a good opportunity for Naga farmers to harness one of the world’s most loved and commercially viable fruits.
Major Harvansh K Sharma, the owner of the orchard first brought apple seeds to Khatkhati three years ago from Himachal. Out of the three varieties he planted, only the ‘Spur Anna’ survived. Suited to local climatic conditions, the apple trees have started bearing fruits in just three years. The apples are now almost ripe and have started showing shades of the red colour.
The Spur Anna is a low chilling variety of apple that requires only about 200 hours of chilling. The tree starts yielding fruits in three to four years depending on the care it receives. The lifespan of the tree is said to be nearly 40 years. Major Sharma has planted 200 trees and many more have been grafted. Like any fruit tree, this particular variety also requires constant pruning during winter months. With vast knowledge in horticulture, Major Sharma said the pruning is very important in order to increase yield.
Many people including agriculture scientists are showing interest in the success of the apples growing in the north east for the first time. Students from Assam and Jorhat Universities, and several farmers from Nagaland have already visited the orchard to witness the achievement.
Major Sharma has also invited horticulture department officials from Nagaland to visit the nursery to have a firsthand look at the apples.
Major Sharma, who is married to a Chang Naga, has planted several variety of fruit trees in his wife’s native village on trial basis. His mission is to encourage horticulture growth in Nagaland. He said that Dimapur and the foothills of Jalukie has potentials for apple plantation as well as other fruits like cherry, pomegranate and plum. Major Sharma has worked closely with the Himachal Pradesh horticulture department and said that Nagaland can also become as successful. “Himachal has just 20% cultivable land and yet horticulture contributes half the state’s annual income,” he pointed out.
With similar prevailing climatic condition in Khatkhati area and Dimapur, Major Sharma also sees huge potential for apple plantation. The Spur Anna variety is economically viable because it is harvested in June/July when other varieties of apple are not available in the market. The fruit also doesn’t need sophisticated packaging as its cover is hard. Because of its combination of sweet and sour taste, the apple is also suitable for making jam, juice and fruit wine; thereby encouraging growth of cottage industries, he added.
With horticulture gaining importance in Nagaland, this could be the moment for farmers particularly in Dimapur to harness the potentials of this wonderful fruit.
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