The Thar Desert in Rajasthan, known for its extreme heat and arid landscape, is witnessing an agricultural revolution. Amidst the golden dunes and blistering summers, a fruit long associated with cool climates has taken root—apples. Once considered impossible to cultivate in such harsh conditions, apple orchards flourish in the Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts. This transformation challenges traditional farming practices and showcases the potential of innovative agricultural techniques in defying nature’s odds.
The Unlikely Journey of an Apple Sapling
Santosh Khedar, a farmer from Beri village in Sikar, embarked on an experiment she never imagined would succeed. In 2015, she received a single apple sapling from the National Innovation Foundation in Gujarat. With little expectation but a determined spirit, she planted the sapling on her 1.25-acre farm, where she had long grown lemons, guavas, and sweet limes.
Initially skeptical, Santosh and her family cared for the plant, watering it diligently and using organic fertilizers. To their astonishment, the tree bore fruit within a year. What began as an isolated experiment soon turned into a flourishing orchard, yielding over 6,000 kilograms of apples each season.
A New Variety Suited for the Desert
The key to this remarkable success lies in the HRMN-99 apple variety, specifically developed to withstand extreme climates. This resilient strain has enabled apple farming in areas where summer temperatures exceed 40°C.
“This variety can grow in arid regions with minimal water requirements,” explained Rahul, Santosh’s son, who studied agriculture to help sustain the family farm. Encouraged by the unexpected success, the family expanded their orchard to 100 trees using grafting techniques.
Even more astonishing, mature apple trees in this variety require minimal irrigation. “Once the plant reaches five years, it only needs watering once every two weeks,” said Madan Lal Jat, deputy director of horticulture. The flowering season begins in February, and by June, the apples are ready for harvest.
Overcoming Doubts and Inspiring Others
When Santosh first planted the apple tree, her neighbors found the idea laughable. “Apples? Here?” they scoffed, shaking their heads in disbelief. However, the tree paid no attention to skepticism. By its second year, it had produced nearly 40 kilograms of apples.
The laughter has since turned to admiration, and those who once doubted now seek to follow in her footsteps. “Jo manya konya ve ib podho maange hai,” Santosh quipped in her native dialect, meaning: “Those who didn’t believe now ask for a sapling.”
Inspired by her success, other farmers in the region have taken up apple cultivation. In nearby Katrathal village, Mohit Chaudhary has planted 50 apple trees, eager to reap the benefits of this groundbreaking agricultural shift.
A Future of Possibilities
Santosh’s achievement is part of a broader trend reshaping Rajasthan’s agricultural landscape. “Ten years ago, people in Barmer were cultivating dates and pomegranates. Now, we have farmers growing strawberries in Chittorgarh and Bhilwara,” noted horticulture official Jat.
With its potential to revolutionize farming in arid regions, apple cultivation in Rajasthan is gaining momentum. Experts predict that in the next five years, apple farming could spread to even more districts, proving that innovation and perseverance can turn even the driest deserts into fertile orchards.
This success story of apples in the Thar Desert serves as a testament to human ingenuity, resilience, and the ever-evolving nature of agriculture in the face of changing climates.
With a passion for news writing and a deep interest in Journalism, Bowrna wants to write articles that create an impact. Not only writing, she also has a passion for voiceovers and also aspires to become a Radio Jockey in the future. When not writing, she likes to listen to songs and dance to her heart's content. She is proficient in English, Tamil and Hindi.
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