From apples to vegetables, Himachal takes a green leap
Rakesh Lohumi/TNS
Shimla, April 2
Known as the “apple state” of the country for the past five decades, Himachal has undergone a silent transformation with “vegetables” overtaking the premium fruit as the main cash crop.
While the production of apple has been fluctuating, the outturn of vegetables has been constantly on the increase and accordingly its contribution to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has been improving. The apple production plunged from a record 10.27 lakh tonne in 2010-11 to 2.72 lakh tonne in 2011-12 due to failure of crop. Consequently, its contribution to GSDP came down from Rs 2,100 crore to Rs 850 crore, whereas that of vegetables shot up from Rs 1,850 crore to Rs 2,150 crore.
In recent years, the apple share in the economy has been declining and it has slipped form around 6 per cent to less than 3 per cent. On the other hand, vegetables share has more than doubled to 3.3 per cent.
Farmers were growing tomato, capsicum, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and other exotic vegetables. Area under vegetables has expanded from 28,000 hectare in 1991-91 to 65,000 hectare and production from 6.5 lakh tonne to 12.69 lakh tonne, while the area under major crops has declined.
It has come down in case of wheat from 3.78 lakh hectare to 3.57 lakh hectare, maize from 3.15 lakh hectare to 2.98 hectare and rice from 98,000 hectare to 85,000 hectare over the period. President of State Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Lekh Raj Chauhan said farmers of lower belts of Kullu and Shimla districts were switching to vegetable cultivation as it involved less risk compared to apple, more susceptible to weather vagaries, particularly hailstorms. “Even in tribal district of Lahaul ad Spiti, farmers have shifted from seed potato to peas cultivation,” says Director of Agriculture JC Rana.
The farmers have three vegetables crops in a year while apple yields a single crop. With three crops the chances of total crop failure, a common feature with apple, are quite rare. “Moreover, the farmers gets returns every four months,” points out Lal Singh, Director of Himalayan Research Group. His organisation has been engaged in promotion medicinal plants, mushrooms and vegetables in Mandi and Kullu district.
“Marketing vegetables is easier as compared to apple,” says Ranjeet Mehta, a leading apple grower of Kotgarh. While returns from traditional crops range from Rs 18,000 to Rs 25,000 per hectare, cultivation of off-season vegetables yield around Rs 85,000 to 1 lakh per hectare and crops like capsicum and tomato fetch even up to Rs 3 lakh per hectare. Solan has been a leading district in growing vegetables and a large number of farmers in Mandi, Kangra, Shimla, Bilaspur and Kullu districts are following this ‘green’ trend. It is getting further momentum with the Kisan Baghban Samridhi Yojna launched by government to promote protected cultivation as crops grown in poly houses are safe from wild animals.
The Big Shift
The apple’s share in the state economy has slipped from around 6% to less than 3%
The share of vegetables has more than doubled to 3.3%
Experts say farmers have three vegetables crops in a year while apple yields a single crop
With three crops, the chances of total crop failure — common with apple — is rare
Apple production had plunged from a record 10.27 lakh tonne in 2010-11 to 2.72 lakh tonne in 2011-12 due to crop failure
He encouraged me to walk on but my legs were failing me. The uphill trek was long and arduous and my un-exercised legs caved in. We were in the middle of the deodar forest and the air was thick with smell of pine and wild flowers. I closed my eyes and rested against a giant rock to catch my breath; the reverie was broken by the sharp chirping of the birds and the noises of the monkey. Their population seem to have multiplied and I saw him nodding; was I talking aloud. I was visiting my village after fifteen long years – in these years away from my village, I picked up my college degree, found a job, built a house, traveled to three continents and found my fiancee. We had planned a visit together but at the last moment her demanding work forced her to cancel the plan, she felt sorry and encouraged me to make the trip on my own.
Kotgarh is an enchanting ancient village on the left bank of river Sutlej at a distance of 82 kilometres from Shimla on the old Hindustan-Tibet road and 6,500 feet above the sea level. The valley is in the shape of a ‘U’ that adds to the exceptional beauty of the area. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Kullu valley and the snow clad Greater Himalayas. About 1800 m down flows the turbulent Satluj fed by the melting glaciers of the Greater Himalayas. Its snaky and glistening appearance adds enormous beauty to the view of the valley. Kotgarh is on the northern spur of the Hattu range overlooking the Satluj. Rudyard Kipling called it the ‘Mistress of the Northern Hills’ and mention of Kotgarh could be found in one of his short story ‘Lispeth’.
“We have to get out of here before sunset; the villagers sighted leopards and bears around this place and not to mention a lady who had been supposedly collecting wood was mauled by a bear”. Sanjeev was my childhood friend and had prospered as a horticulturist growing and supplying apples to all the major cities and now had his sight on the international market. He looked no ordinary bloke in his Timberland boots and Ralph Laurn shirt gracefully paired with a chinos; now and then he adjusted his Ray Ban. He is one of the many boys who stayed back and saw an opportunity in apple production. Kotgarh is the apple heartland of Himachal – about 4.5 crore boxes of apple (each box weights about 20 kg) leave Himachal for the cities and have transformed the economy of the place. It all started with the humble Christian missionary, Samuel Stokes planting the first apple sapling in Kotgarh.
“If I can find anything which will yield the farmers here a larger crop per acre, I shall be doing the people a real service,” Stokes wrote on the eve of a visit to the USA. Stoke introduced both apples and the culture of growing apples as a commercial crop for small farms. It benefited farmers who had marginal lands where they grew a single crop of wheat or barley and changed the economy of the place forever. He fell in love with an Indian Rajput Christian girl and married her and later on, became so influenced by the Bhagvat Gita and Hindu philosophy, that he along with his entire family converted to Hinduism (he took on the name of Satyanand Stokes and gave his wife the name Priya Devi) and stayed on in Himachal Pradesh.
Sanjeev had made a special arrangement for the evening, I felt a bit embarrassed getting all the attention – to say the least a royal treatment. We sat at the wooden veranda and watched the sun spread its orange hue while it struggled to get behind the hill. It helped me catch breath and calm my nrerves – Sanjeev’s bear and leopard story made me speed up and get out of the jungle sooner than I expected. Sanjeev was helping me bring up to speed and catch up on the things. No sooner would he get over answering one question, I would ask him another.
Sanjeev next venture was to diversify into tourism. He was planning to build a small resort to tap into the market of honeymooners and weekend holidays. Sanjeev mentioned that there were ample comfortable resorts to stay in and around Kotgarh and the rich culture and history of the place was attracting not only the weekend travelers but serious nature adventure travelers also. He lamented that many are been deprived of visiting Kotgarh and the government is not doing enough in promoting this place. “Narkanda is the point where most stops; they just need to driver another 15 kilometres to see this beautiful pearl.” I didn’t want to interrupt him. He went on “we have Narkanda for outdoor adventure, Hattu Temple & Peak which offers a panoramic view of the snowline and Himalayas. We have St. Mary’s Church, built in 1843 one of the oldest in India, Parmjyotir Temple, ancient Chatur Mukh temple , Nag Devta temple and a beautiful pond next to it”. I wanted to say “one could lay all day long next to the pond in the shade of the blue pine and spruce tree beside temple and attain moksha” but stopped short.
As a proud owner of high yield variety apples he walked me through his well-maintained orchard. The narrow trail through the orchard made me hop and jump but the experience of getting to know the life cycle of the trees and apple harvesting process was nothing less than a joyous journey. The remaining days were spend visiting the ancient temples, paying obeisance to local deities and asking for their blessings. I was told the umpteen festivals and local fares of Kotgarh are still a riot of colours and cuisines. The local fares give an opportunity to the locals to pay respect to the local deity and meet up with the relative, who all converge on those days. The place is blessed with rich flora and fauna and while walking through the forest trail I could hear the tall deodar whistle and talk to you and the ubiquitous sweet pine smell. I remembered taking the forest trail while I was in the school. It was all coming back to me.
Another thing which sets Kotgarh apart is the subtle and unforgettable touch of the locals. They are warn and hospitable and don’t be surprised if you are asked out for dinner and drink even by total strangers. They were gracious enough to let us in and share their experiences and opinions.
My short vacation was over and the time spend with Sanjeev and his hospitality humbled me . This break in the hills took me away from the city noise for a while and helped me relax. I came back rejuvenated but most it strengthened my bond with my own and helped me get close to the nature.
Source: www.hillpost.in
Shimla: Once regarded as the most important religious festival in the higher hills of Himachal, Mahashivratri though still celebrated with much fanfare at Mandi and Baijnath, it is fast losing out its traditional fervour to others festivals in the region.
“In the last 40 years, much changes in the religious and cultural lives of hill people have come about, says Devisaran, a retired teacher from Kotgarh.
Holi and Diwali which were low key festivals and Karva Chauth which was not even part of the social milieu are being celebrated with much fanfare, and Mahashivratri, which was the most important religious festival in the region, does not have the same standing today,” he says.
Recalling the old times, he added, the whole community throughout the year would store grains, oils and arrange for red meat so as to have enough food a three day festivity to mark Shivratri.
The festival is celebrated as an occasion when Lord Shiva, the presiding deity, is married to his consort Parvati to the accompaniment of music in the snowy world of Mount Kailash.
With a bonfire to ward of the cold, the community would visit each household in the locality to salute the lord with a loud call of ‘Daal Mahadev’ before gathering to a night of dance and music where folk songs of Lord Shiva were sung and orally passed onto younger generations over the centuries,” said Devisaran. “But all that has changed and much of that centuries old folklore heritage is lost,” he adds.
“Modernity has eroded much of the uniqueness of hill valley cultures that like glaciers were otherwise sheltered in landlocked regions. Traditional festivals centred around the local deity have lost ground to other ones,” says V Tandy, a senior government functionary who has documented some the noticeable changes coming about.
Even at Mandi, the Mahashivratri festival or be it the Dusherra at Kullu, the weeklong festivities in their new avtar are showcased as international festivals where cultural troupes and pop stars performances jostle out the local folklore in order to entertain.
More than 200 local deities are scheduled to congregate at Mandi by Monday to celebrate the festival that is said to have a legacy dating back to 1526, when the town was founded.
“Mahashivratri festivities here are to be celebrated from Feb 21st to 27th,”said Davesh Kumar, the organising district magistrate of Mandi.
At the historic Shiva Temple in Baijnath, Shivratri is the main festival when the stone sculpted temple is decorated with flowers and pilgrims from far and near converge to seek blessing.
Legend holds that it was at this temple that Ravana, the King of Lanka, after doing severe penance attained the boon of immortality from the presiding deity.
Not only is the musical masterpiece Ravana’s Tandav Strotum said to have been created at this temple but to the day, Dusherra festival as a mark of respect for Ravana is not held at the premises.
Source: www.hillpost.in
Shimla : In what is being described as the heaviest snowfall this time in twenty years in Himachal Pradesh’s apple belt in Shimla district the damage to apple trees is widespread , say farmers .
As the skies begin to clear and farmers begin trudging into the snow covered terraced orchards they say the scale of the damage to trees is beginning to unravel.
Anguished farmers say the damage is very high in some orchards by the snowfall which fell earlier this month .
At several places giant trees have either been uprooted or have broken down the middle . There is also damage to branches and twigs by the heavy snowfall .
Large tracts of land in Rohru , Jubbal , Chopal , Kotkhai , Kotgarh , Narkanda , Theog among other places are still under deep snow .
The record total snowfall in January this time has varied between 3 to 6 feet in orchards located between 6000 ft and 9000 ft altitude , the heaviest in at least twenty years.
This kind of snowfall is unheard of in recent years and has caused large-scale damage to apple trees at most places .
An apple tree can grow up to 20 feet in height and takes 15 to 20 years to attain full size .
Farmers say the gravity of the loss can be gauged from the fact that it takes such a long time to wait for a tree to grow and then one fine snowy winter night it comes crashing down .
Although apple cultivation takes place in about six districts of the state . Shimla district alone accounts for 80 per cent of the production .
And it is in Shimla district the snowfall has been heaviest and most damaging .
Leh to Spangmik 165 kilometres
Ladakh offers some of India’s most majestic and mystical landscapes. This is no more evident than on the route from Leh to Spangmik, a small settlement on the shores of the vast Pangong Tso lake. The bare, brown mountains tower over you as you negotiate the twists and turns of the narrow road. The view is at its best near the top of Chang La, the world’s second highest motorable road after Khardung La. On the other side, you may see either green pastures with herds of yak or white sheets of snow. Of course the best part is at the end where you’re met by the gentle lapping of the lake’s piercing blue waters and very welcome silence.
Shimla to Kalpa 235 kilometres
The stretch from Shimla to Kalpa offers stunning views of the Himalayas. En route are the famous apple belts of Kotgarh and Kumarsain descending to the Sutlej Valley. In the Kinnaur valley many roads are cut so they jut out over a sheer precipice; beautiful and dangerous. This route also has several waterfalls near bridges. The beauty of the road from Reckong Peo, the district headquarters, to Kalpa, ostensibly the final leg of the journey, is unsurpassed in its beauty. No words can do justice to the sights of the Kinnaur-Kailash range. Finally, in Kalpa, do visit the ancient Kalpa monastery set against the backdrop of the majestic Mt Kailash.
Naples to Florence 550 kilometres
This drive along Italy’s west coast can be completed in a day, thanks to excellent traffic and road conditions. The route passes through lush greenery on either side and occasionally through some hills as well. One interesting stopover comes up about a third of the way. What seems like a regular service station-cum-foodcourt also houses a museum for a Necropolis, which was found by construction workers digging at the site. That isn’t all. Italy’s stunning landscapes line the entire journey and are occasionally punctuated by medieval castles or ancient settlements that hang on the sides of undulating hills.
Prague to Ceske Budojevice 160 kilometres
Prague’s popularity as a holiday destination for Indians has gained momentum fairly recently. The city itself though, is ancient and boasts, among many other monuments, Hradcany Castle, the world’s largest. Driving out of Prague one is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Czech Republic’s bohemian countryside. Rolling green meadows and endless rows of bright yellow sunflowers as the road dips and then rises gently make you feel as if you’re lost in a painting. Even the sun seems to shine at a more mellow intensity here as you drive on to the 13th century settlement of Ceske Budojevice, renowned for its breweries since medieval times.
With Ridhima Ahluwalia
Churches in Shimla deck up for Christmas
Surekha Dhaleta, TNN Dec 25, 2011, 05.42AM IST
SHIMLA: All prominent churches in Shimla are decked with their finery to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with the holy communion service starting at midnight on Saturday. Apart from the founding mainline churches including the historic Christ Church Ridge, St Michael’s Cathedral, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Baptist Church and Evangelical church of India, a host of independent churches have sprung up over the years in Shimla.
Bazel Dean, who plays more than a century-old pipe organ at the historic Christ Church, said, “Around 2,000 people of the Christian community live in Shimla and amongst these, more than 150 families are aligned to the five major churches.”
“The Christ Church has 78 families associated with it as we have St Michael’s Church Jutogh under the same pastorate. However, 60-65 families are associated with the Christ Church on the Ridge,” said Rev Mushtaq A Malk, presbyter in charge of Christ Church.
General secretary of YMCA Naresh Scott said, “Besides the founding churches, other churches include the Methodist Church, Pentecostal Church, Assembly of Church developed around the 80′s, and the later developments include New Life fellowship, Mukti fellowship, BSS Bathal’s Satsang, Nepali Church and Grace Home in New Shimla, Harvest Ministry, Miracle Church of Jesus Christ, Believer’s Church Shimla, among others.”
According to church historians a large number of families related to the main churches are second and third generation of Christians from Kotgarh in Shimla and Kangra district. Besides them, there also exist Punjabi Christians. Some South Indians are members of the Catholic Church. According to Rev Malk: “Unlike the old churches, the newer institutions work independently and do not have a set constitution, structure and rules. In the main churches, pastoral and management committee approves of everything, and a liturgy is followed like the holy communion.”
Apart from being centres of reverence for the community, some of the mainline institutions have been landmarks in the city and stand testimonials to the history of Shimla. The Christ Church on the Ridge enjoys better footfall as compared to others due to its location and ambience and is visited by people from all faiths.
It is credited to be the second oldest church in North India and was consecrated in 1857, built of stone and bricks in lime mortar by Colonel J T Boileau with neo-Gothic elements. Decorated with fine stained glass paintings and memorial plaques, the church still maintains pews designated for the viceroy, commander-in-chief, and the governor of Punjab.
Built in 1886, St Michael’s Cathedral was the first Roman catholic church in the hill station, and served as the cathedral of a new diocese. The cathedral too has stained glass window said to have been brought from Germany. Made of exquisite stone, the church is built with a partial vocabulary of French-Gothic style.
A place comes to my mind,
This place is one of its kind.
Up in the mountain it shines;
Basking in the glory of Whistling pines.
Where peace in the wind blow,
Carrying flakes of Snow.
Starry nights and morning dew;
Golden sunshine with a river view.
Here the silence flows slow;
Feeling of resentment one let go.
Brothers watch each others back,
And lay their bodies on tracks.
No Pearls & Diamonds;
It has the best Apples & Almonds.
Its rich flora & fauna;
Is a perfect cure for city’s life trauma.
It’s my nest, it’s the best;
Visit it, you’ll forget the rest.
Don’t wait for August & September;
Any season, you can take a walk to remember.
Whenever, I say its name;
The feeling drives me insane.
Call me obsessed;
But my beautiful Kotgarh is the best.
I want to go back home,
And run to the hill top and roam.
I want to soar high and roar;
“I am from Kotgarh… Need I say More”.
- Rajat Singha
Source: HILL POST
Shimla :Fear prevails among locals as black himalayan bears are frequently being spotted at the edge of many villages in Kotgarh and neighbouring areas of Himachal Pradesh , locals say.
A woman was badly mauled in the Brehri Dhar area a few days ago. A few others have also had close encounters with passing bears , locals told the Hill Post .
After night fall villagers are avoiding moving out of their homes for fear of running into a wild bear . They have complained to the forest and wildlife department .
In neighbouring Narkanda and Kumarsain villages , people say bears have even been raiding apple orchards . At a few places these burly creatures even broke and uprooted some small apple trees recently .
L.S.Thakur DFO Kotgarh was quoted as saying that efforts were being made by the wildlife wing to drive away these bears . Also locals were being educated to be alert and vigilant .
Posted by SWARAAJ CHAUHAN, International Columnist
Sep 10th, 2011 |
At a time when America appears lost, and its leadership continues its reckless bid for global supremacy, it is interesting to recall the story of the only American who participated in India’s freedom struggle and was imprisoned by the British-Indian government. He gave up Western clothes and donned home-spun Khadi dress.
A highly impressed Mahatma Gandhi wrote in his Young India: “No Indian is giving such battle to the (British-Indian) Government as Mr. Samuel Evans Stokes Jr. He has veritably become the guide, philosopher and friend of the hill men.”
Born into a famous American Quaker family (and son of a Philadelphia millionaire), Samuel Evans Stokes Jr. made India his home when he was only 21. He turned into a political activist. Stokes is also credited with the introduction of “American Delicious variety” of apples in Shimla Hills, which resulted in many significant social and economic changes in the region.
On Stokes’ arrest 17 years after his arrival in India, Mahatma Gandhi wrote: “That he (Stokes) should feel with and, like an Indian, share his sorrows and throw himself into the (freedom) struggle, has proved too much for the (British-Indian) government. To leave him free to criticize the government was intolerable, so his white skin has proved no protection for him…”
Stokes’ portrait adorns the walls of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library at New Delhi (a building where India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru lived), but few people outside India’s northern State of Himachal Pradesh are aware about the legacy of this great man.
Better known by his Indian name “Satyanand” Stokes, he arrived in India in 1904. Kotgarh in Shimla Hills, overlooking Satluj river, became his new home. It was the last outpost of the British Empire, situated on the Hindustan-Tibet mule track. Rudyard Kipling described the area as “The Mistress of The Hills”, and based one of his stories “Lispeth” on Kotgarh. Stokes soon became the most loved and respected member of this area.
Stokes’ journey to India began on January 9, 1904, when he boarded the old Haverford at Philadelphia, writes his granddaughter, Asha Sharma, in her book An American in Gandhi’s India. “Little did he know this would be a journey of no return. His destination was Subathu, a small town in Shimla Hills, to work in a leper home.
“Among the crowds of friends and relatives assembled to bid goodbye to ‘Sam’ were his father, Samuel Evans Stokes, Sr., engineer, holder of numerous patents, successful businessman, pioneer of elevators in America, and founder and proprietor of Stokes and Parish Machines Company in Philadelphia; his mother Florence Spencer Stokes, a devout Christian, devoted mother, an American proud of her heritage and family values: his brother Spencer,20; and sisters Anna, 19; and Florence, 14.”
After a short stay in England where he met leading personalities working among leprosy patients in India, Stokes began his India journey aboard “Olympia” in February 1904 and headed towards Shimla Hills. He travelled extensively in Punjab to learn about leprosy work there. Although he himself came as a missionary to spread Christianity, he was soon disillusioned by the work and lifestyle of the missionaries, and differences arose.
The story of how a “Sahib” Stokes became a “Sadhu” (ascetic mendicant) Stokes is equally fascinating … He grew a beard, wore a saffron choga (a loose cloth) and hemp slippers on his feet. His austere belongings were a blanket, lota, and a degchi to cook food and eat in. Stokes’ family was distraught to get the news of his new life. But more distraught were the Christian missionaries in and around Kotgarh.
Kotgarh was one of the few small pockets in hill areas of north India directly under British rule, surrounded by big Princely hill states (including my hometown – the Princely state of Nahan or Sirmaur). The British forces, invited by local hill Rajas and Maharajas to help repulse the attack from Gurkha army from Nepal, reached Kotgarh in 1814. In such small areas as Kotgarh, the British Political Agent to Hill States, Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy, wanted to help spread Christianity to win the loyalty of the locals.
Stokes arrived in Kotgarh at a time when local missionaries were tearing their hair because they could not make much headway
in conversion work. A handful of converted people were declared outcastes by the locals. With his sadhu’s attire and a different attitude, Stokes was welcomed by high caste families, including Rajputs and Brahmins.
Stokes’ granddaughter Asha Sharma, who studied at Columbia University, gives a detailed and fascinating account of this legendary American-turned-Indian’s journey … from his childhood in America to his role as a leading member of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent freedom movement in India; from his ascetic life to his marriage to a local girl; from his pioneering work in treating leprosy patients to bringing about a horticulture revolution in hilly northern India.
Where do I fit into this narrative? My association with Kotgarh began when I was in school. I would visit my aunt in Kotgarh during my school/college summer holidays, providing much relief from the dust and heat of Delhi. My aunt was married into a local Rajput family who were leading apple growers in the area.
Her husband, Govind Ram Bhalaik’s two sisters were married to Prem Chand Stokes and Pritam Chand Stokes, sons of Samuel Evans “Satyanand” Stokes. Hence the children of Prem and Pritam, the third-generation Stokes, were my contemporaries and, in a way, my second cousins. These families are highly talented and we used to have spirited discussions, and wonderful pahari food, at their home “Harmony Hall”, named after their ancestral home in America.
I would often walk from Bhareri Estate, my aunt’s house (a spacious and elegant colonial mansion that once belonged to the British Political Agent during the East India Company rule), to the Stokes house at Thanedhar, a few kilometres away – with apple orchards on both sides of the road. The temple built by Stokes, after his conversion to Hinduism, overlooks the rolling hills around and has shlokas written on the walls.
Almost all among the third-generation male members of the Stokes’ immediate family have returned to America. But many of them do return to the land of their legendary grandfather who left all the luxury in America to work among the poorest of the poor … and sincerely believed in the dignity of human life and freedom.
Kotgarh: Focusing on improving quality and quantity of apple producing methodologies, Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) organized a days’ workshop here at Thanedhar, Kotgarh that was attended by scientists and fruit growers.
Speaking on the occasion Gurdev Singh, director horticulture stressed upon adopting new techniques, water conservation and using better planting material for improving quality and yields.
He said that whereas late Satyanand Stokes pioneered in introducing commercial growing of apple as a cash crop from Kotgarh but it was time to revisit the subject as climate change and global warming has had an impact in the fruit producing belts of the state.
Plant scientist GP Upadhaya spoke about the need to keeping a check on the soil health as “we feed the soil, so the soil will feed the plant.” Constant monitoring of soil health was drawing desired results, he added.
TP Dutta, a former director with Indian Institute of Packaging Management made a presentation about packaging methods that has lately been introduced in the horticulture sector.
Many leading apple growers, which included Vijay Stokes, a grandson of Satyanand Stokes, participated in the workshop.
Vijay Stokes, after retiring from teaching engineering at IIT and in the US, is already experimenting with rejuvenating old orchards by re-planting them with high yielding stock trees on a large scale.
“An interactive session with apple orchard owners, representatives, scientists and officials from horticulture department proved very fruitful,” said Neeta Chauhan, CII’s zonal head at Shimla.
Discussion were held on orchard management, soil health, drip irrigation, rootstock, hill horticulture, post harvest management and cold chain, diversifying fruit growing, floriculture and growing exotic vegetables.
Ajit Butail, Member, CII Himachal Pradesh State Council assured the apple growing community that CII continue its commitment to improve the overall horticulture scenario in the state.
The industrial chamber is scheduled to hold another workshop at Kothkai, another important apple growing centre on September 8.
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