Shimla, Sep 4: The Himachal Pradesh government has taken up the shortage of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) fertiliser with the Centre as concerns grow among apple growers over the timely availability of essential farm inputs.
For orchardists across the state, fertiliser availability is closely linked to maintaining healthy trees and supporting the quality and productivity of the apple crop. The shortage has therefore emerged as an added concern for farmers already managing rising cultivation costs and unpredictable weather conditions.
The state has urged the Centre to look into the supply situation and ensure that adequate quantities of CAN reach apple-growing regions. Timely availability of fertilisers can help growers carry out essential orchard operations without disruption and reduce pressure on the horticulture sector.
Apple cultivation is a major source of livelihood in Himachal Pradesh and supports a wider rural economy involving farm labour, transportation, packaging, storage, trading and processing. Any disruption in the supply of important agricultural inputs can consequently affect not only growers but also several businesses linked to the apple trade.
The fertiliser issue comes during a challenging season for the state’s apple industry. Weather-related disruptions have affected fruit setting and production in several areas, while growers are also dealing with higher input and marketing costs.
A timely improvement in CAN supplies could provide some relief to orchardists and help them manage their plantations more effectively. For thousands of farming families, ensuring access to essential inputs remains important for protecting productivity and sustaining the wider apple economy of Himachal Pradesh.
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