Rejuvenation of Apple Orchards and High Density Planting in Kashmir

Biotech KISAN Hub project being implemented by Division of fruit Science SKUAST-K with financial and technical support from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of has been instrumental in increasing in HDAP units in Kashmir from mere 90 to more than 500 covering an area of around 200 ha and rejuvenation units from almost nil to a more than 100 in a short span of 2 years. The apprehensions which were among the farming community have been addressed through regular training and demonstrations carried out by the Biotech KISAN hub for both rejuvenation and HDAP. The farmers in the south Kashmir districts have adopted the HDAP and rejuvenation technology at a faster pace and are currently leading and setting up the trend for all other districts of the valley. The average yield ofHDAP apple and the varieties introduced by Biotech KISAN hub will be around 40-60 t/ha compared to just 11 t/ha from traditional apple trees. The technology has simultaneously been transferred to state departments as well as KVKs. The impact of project activities has been significant in changing the attitude of the state govt. also and is planning to take it as a scheme vigorously. The awareness about both rejuvenation and HDAP was meager in northern districts of the valley and the Biotech KISAN hub team has introduced the first HDAP Units in said districts along with rejuvenation units. It is now expected that the farmers shall adopt HDAP and rejuvenation technology in the future with ease. The state government has decided to take it in mission mode. The HDAP and rejuvenation of apple orchards with new mutant is the future of apple orcharding system in valley and must be adopted in other apple growing regions of India as well.