Lokinder Singh Bisht, President of the Progressive Growers Association, sheds light on India’s apple farmers' pressing challenges. From the disruptive impact of Iranian apple imports to soaring production costs post-COVID-19, the apple farming community, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, is grappling with shrinking profitability and unsustainable practices. Bisht provides detailed insights into these issues while suggesting actionable solutions to safeguard the future of apple farming in India.

1. How have Iranian apple imports disrupted the Indian apple market, and what specific pricing strategies make them more attractive to wholesalers and retailers in India?

Iranian apple imports have significantly disrupted the Indian apple market. Locally grown apples cost ?60–70 per kg to produce, but Iranian apples are sold at similar or even lower prices, making it difficult for Indian farmers to recover their production costs. This discrepancy is driven by the SAFTA agreement, which allows duty-free imports via land routes, with many shipments routed through Afghanistan. Despite the government’s 2023 policy of imposing a minimum import price of ?50 per kg and a 50% import duty, Iranian apples are still available at lower prices, pointing to under-invoicing. Bisht warns that if this remains unchecked, the sustainability of local apple farming will be jeopardised.

2. The cost of production for apples in Himachal Pradesh has significantly risen post-COVID-19. What role do input costs like fertilisers and transport play in reducing farmer profitability?

Post-COVID-19, apple production costs have risen sharply, primarily due to a threefold increase in fertiliser and pesticide prices. Apple farming, which requires 5–6 months of intensive care, involves multiple applications of NPK fertilisers, calcium, and trace elements, as well as 10–15 rounds of foliar fungicides and acaricides. These essential inputs, combined with higher transport costs, have drastically reduced farmer profitability, making apple farming increasingly unsustainable.

3. What measures can the Indian government take to prevent under-invoicing of Iranian apples and ensure fair pricing for domestic apple farmers?

Bisht suggests that the government must increase the minimum import price of apples to ?90–100 per kg to reflect actual costs. Phytosanitary inspections of imported apples should be made more stringent, and apples should be given “special category” status under WTO rules to allow an increase in customs duty from 50% to 100%. Authorities must also thoroughly investigate under-invoiced shipments to create a level playing field for Indian farmers and ensure fair trade practices.

4. Apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh are reportedly leaving the profession due to unsustainable returns. How significant is this trend, and what does it mean for the future of apple farming in India?

The combination of falling profit margins, rising production costs, climate change, and competition from cheaper imports is driving many farmers in Himachal Pradesh to abandon apple farming. A significant number are shifting to alternative crops or seeking employment in cities. Without immediate policy intervention, the decline in apple farming could intensify, leading to reduced domestic production and increased dependency on imports.

5. The Indian market lacks adequate post-harvest infrastructure for apples, such as cold storage. How can investments in this area help stabilise prices and reduce losses for farmers?

India’s lack of post-harvest infrastructure, especially small-scale cold storage facilities, exacerbates farmer losses. Bisht advocates for subsidising and incentivising cold storages of 9–50 tonnes, which can be established at the farm, block, or village level. These facilities would enable farmers to store produce during market gluts, stabilising prices and reducing wastage. Additionally, smaller storages would prevent monopolisation by large corporates that often destabilise markets.

6. What immediate policy changes would you recommend to make apple farming in India more viable, especially given the competition from imports and declining local productivity?

To make apple farming viable, Bisht recommends increasing the minimum import price to ?90–100 per kg and granting apples “special category” status under WTO rules to enable a customs duty increase to 100%. He also calls for institutional support and subsidies for high-density plantations, value-addition units, and processing facilities. Additionally, reducing GST on fertilisers, pesticides, and farm machinery to the lowest bracket would help lower input costs, improving farmer profitability.

The challenges faced by India’s apple farmers require urgent attention from policymakers. Iranian imports, rising production costs, and infrastructure gaps threaten the industry’s sustainability. Immediate measures, including fair trade practices, better infrastructure, and government support, are essential to safeguard the livelihoods of Indian apple farmers and ensure the future of this vital sector.