Telangana's Adivasi Farmers Embrace Apple Orchards in Komaram Bheem

Dhanora (Komaram Bheem Asifabad): Farmers in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, including from the Adivasi communities, are showing increasing interest in cultivating apples in the mandals of Kerameri, Wankidi, Tiryani, and Sirpur (U), thanks to the district’s favourable climate.

Dubbed the "Kashmir of Telangana," the old Adilabad region experience cold weather during winter that supports the growth of apples. Apple trees require cold temperatures for sapling growth and flowering. Once flowering begins, it takes approximately 120 days for the apples to mature. Pruning typically starts in December, and the harvest begins in May.

The first crop of apples in Dhanora village, Kerameri mandal, is notable for its sweetness and vibrant red colour, drawing significant attention.

Minimum temperature in the region drops to 3ºC in December and remains below 6ºC for many nights until February. In December 2017, Kerameri recorded 2.5ºC.

A scientist from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) stated that the weather and soil in Kerameri mandal are well-suited for apple farming. The area's natural features, including hillocks, forests, and perennial streams, further enhance its potential.

Farmers are eager to explore apple cultivation if the state government provides support, including the free distribution of saplings. Currently, apple saplings, costing around ₹300 each, are sourced from Kashmir.

Some progressive farmers already succeeded in growing apple orchards. A farmer belonging to the backward community in Dhanora, Kendre Balaji, was recognised with the Farm Innovation Award by the ICAR-Agriculture Technology Application Research Institute, Hyderabad, in 2018. Balaji first planted 10 apple saplings in 2014, purchasing them for ₹50 each through an friend who was in the Army. The plants have now reached the flowering stage.

Balaji shared that CCMB scientists Veerabadhrarao and Ramesh Agarwal tested the soil in his fields and confirmed its suitability for apple cultivation. Since 2015, Balaji has planted 450 hybrid Hariman-99 apple trees, provided free of cost by CCMB, Hyderabad. The institute distributed a total of 4,000 apple saplings to interested farmers in the region. However, Balaji noted that apple plants' growth is hindered when intercropped with other plants. While he has harvested apples weighing around 150 grams, the ideal weight for commercial sale is approximately 200 grams.

An Adivasi farmer from Dhanora named Sidam Mahadu has cultivated 50 apple plants. Mahadu stated that many farmers are now willing to raise apple orchards if the government supplies free saplings and provides technical support.