As Winters vanish, Himalayan Apple farmers haul snow to save their orchards

Across the western Himalayas, rising average temperatures are quietly destabilising one of South Asia’s most climate-sensitive agricultural systems: Apple orchards. The hill state of Himachal Pradesh is one of India’s leading apple-producing regions, contributing approximately 20 to 26 per cent of the country’s overall apple production. 

Apple farming in Himachal Pradesh began in the early 20th century and today spans over 113,000 hectares, with Kinnaur producing premium varieties. Apple cultivation is the backbone of Himachal’s horticultural economy, accounting for about 85 per cent of its total fruit production. The sector contributes more than Rs 5,500 crore (about 511 million EUR) annually to the state economy and provides seasonal employment to thousands. Beyond economic figures, apple cultivation supports food security, cultural traditions, and local identities. 

However, apple trees depend on long winter colds and snow to flower and fruit. Today, warmer winters are reducing snow cover in the mountain regions that feed rivers, food chains and rural economies across the subcontinent. This development is increasingly worrying, especially for apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh – an agricultural challenge that is one among many of how climate change is reshaping life on the ‘roof of the world’.

A fragile balance – how snow used to sustain apple orchards

Snow plays a vital role in the fragile ecosystem of Himachal Pradesh, serving as a natural resource for apple orchards. By insulating soil, slowly releasing moisture, and suppressing pests, winter snow ensures apple trees receive the cold dormancy period required for proper flowering and fruiting. Snow further contributes significantly to the overall water supply in the region. And last but not least, it provides the ideal conditions for native pollinators.

In Kinnaur, elevations below 2,500 meters now often experience snowless winters. Research indicates that the snowline in the western Himalayas has shifted upward by 500 metres over recent decades, and according to meteorological data, the winter of 2024/25 recorded a 23-year low in snow persistence (the time snow stays on the ground), which was nearly 24 per cent below normal.

This change has forced apple farmers to adapt with labour-intensive measures, Rajesh Thakur, a third-generation orchardist, explained to FairPlanet. ‘We carry snow in baskets and spread it around the trees. It is exhausting work, but the trees need it. If we do not do this, some trees may die. We used to rely on snow covering the trees naturally. Now we climb higher to bring snow here. It takes hours, but without it, the trees struggle.’ 

Most traditional apple varieties require between 1,000 and 1,500 ‘chill hours’ – periods when temperatures remain below 7°C – to break dormancy. Without sufficient cold, buds open unevenly, flowers drop early, and fruit size declines, turning climate change directly into economic loss for farmers.

Additionally, with diminished snowfall, traditional water cycles in Himachal Pradesh’s apple-growing regions are increasingly disrupted, reducing yields and forcing farmers to rely more heavily on irrigation. ‘Before, our wells filled naturally, now the soil dries quickly. We have to spend more on pumps and pipes to water the trees,’’ said Meena Devi, a farmer in the Sangla Valley.

Reduced snow cover also affects native pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which depend on cool and moist conditions for their breeding cycles. Therefore, the now shortened cycles are leading to lower pollination rates and compromised fruit development. ‘Bees are less in number now,’ explained Vijay Singh, an orchard worker in Kinnaur, ‘the flowers bloom, but fewer bees visit. Fruit quality suffers.’

Researchers warn that milder winters also allow pests that would normally be killed by prolonged cold to survive and appear earlier in the season. Aphids and mites now emerge sooner, forcing farmers to increase pesticide use, raising both costs and environmental stress on fragile mountain ecosystems. 

Echoes of imbalance – how ecological disruptions affect livelihoods

The disrupted dormancy cycles have caused erratic flowering and lower yields. In 2025, many apple farmers reported a 20 to 30 per cent decline in production. Small and marginal orchardists are hit hardest. Many cannot afford artificial snow machines, drip systems or climate-resilient saplings – measures larger companies can afford. Women, who carry much of the orchard labour, now spend extra hours hauling snow and water, increasing unpaid work in already strained households. For seasonal migrant labourers, fewer harvest days mean unstable incomes and rising debt.

Vikram Singh, a government officer in Kinnaur, told FairPlanet: ‘Apple farming is part of life here. Villages depend on harvests for income, food, and traditions. Changes in snowfall threaten both livelihoods and community stability.’ The consequences of shifting weather patterns are thus felt both socially and environmentally, highlighting how climate change disrupts local economies, cultural practices, and the delicate balance of mountain ecosystems that sustain millions downstream.

Farmers are increasingly adopting modern techniques such as drip irrigation, anti-hail nets, and  in a few high-value orchards, even artificial snow systems. Some farmers are also converting traditional orchards into high-density plantations to improve yields in a warming climate. ‘We try new varieties that need less chill,’ said Thakur. ‘It is a risk, but necessary to keep the orchards alive.’ All of these solutions, however, are expensive and not accessible to all farmers; for most small farmers, the cost of replacing old trees and infrastructure remains out of reach.

Limited Adaptation on the Warming Roof of the World

Dr. Anil Sharma, a climate scientist at the Himalayan Forest Research Institute, explained to FairPlanet that these local changes reflect broader global trends. Mountain regions worldwide, including the Alps, Andes, and Rockies, are witnessing similar shifts in snow patterns, threatening agriculture, water security, and local economies. However, according to Dr. Sharma, the Himalayas are particularly sensitive: ‘Reduced snow affects rivers, ecosystems and livelihoods far beyond the orchards. This is not only a local issue; it has regional consequences. Policy support is essential. Farmers need better forecasting, subsidies, and guidance. Adaptation is possible, but it requires planning and investment.

Communities are responding through cooperative water harvesting, soil-moisture conservation and more sustainable orchard management. Government schemes promoting climate-resilient crops and insurance are also expanding, but access remains uneven. ‘The insurance looks good on paper, but reaching it is difficult,’ said Aakash Shukla to FairPlanet, an apple farmer in Kinnaur. ‘By the time advisories arrive, the damage is already done. Big orchard owners can adjust fast, but small farmers like us are left guessing.’ 

Without broader action to slow global warming and support mountain livelihoods, the farmers’ efforts may only delay deeper losses. ‘The snow we carry today saves the trees,’ said Thakur, ‘but if winters keep disappearing, we are carrying the future on our backs.’