Successful Cultivation of Kashmir Apple in Ooty

Kashmir apples are not only famous in India but across the globe for its consistent quality and taste. Apple requires a chill climate (normally less than 7 Degree C) and for a longer duration (called chill hours) to grow and give quality and quantity yield. Kashmir and part of Himalayan region being best suited place for apple cultivation in India, it produces one of the best varieties.

Apples are also cultivated in part of South India, especially in high altitude regions but they are of much different quality and variety from Kashmir apple due to comparatively lower chill hours in this region. For example, the apples cultivated in the Nilgiris region are famously known as ‘Ooty Apple’ with unique sweet and sour taste. In general the south Indian apple varieties are sold in the market for a much cheaper price (approx. Rs.100 / Kg) than that of the Kashmir variety (approx. Rs.200/Kg). 

Recently it is reported that a group of about 100+ farmers have successfully grown the Kashmir variety apple trees in the Nilgiris and got the yield. Couple of year back they have brought 2000 apple saplings from Kashmir, planted them in different part so that altitude of the Nilgiris district and grown them with guidance of Himachal farmers on experimental basis. Out of which, around 50% of these formers reported their trees are bearing fruits. 

These Nilgiris farmers estimate that an apple tree of this Kashmir variety can yield about 100 Kg and revenue of approximately Rs. 8 Lacs per Acre per annum. Considering this many folds attractive revenue comparing to the traditional tea cultivation and the huge gap between demand to supply of apples in this part of country, many farmers will start planting apple trees in Ooty region soon. 

Right now vegetation is the major agriculture alternate to tea in the Nilgiris but in the near feature Apple will also become an alternative to tea to the Nilgiris farmers. Thus it will have a great impact on agriculture / per capita income of this region as well as Ooty real estate. Since the tea price is volatile and not attractive, the agriculture land price in Ooty is affordable at present as many property owners did post property online to sell in property portal like hillsandwills.com which exclusively deals with Indian hill station real estate. Considering this new scope of Kashmir apple cultivation and related revenue scope, the demand for property in Ooty is expected to increase sharply and there by its cost. Since there is no restriction for the investors outside the state to own property in Ooty as of now, the investors across the boundaries are expected to browse the property selling sites for it vigorously in the near future but there may be less people to post property Ad and sell property online at that time. Hence it is the right time to buy property in Ooty, the Nilgiris and shape it to your dream Apple Orchard.