Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, known for its vast dunes and searing heat, has always been a place where only the hardiest of plants could survive.
Summer temperatures can soar to a blistering 49°C, making it seem impossible for temperate crops to thrive.
However, a surprising transformation is underway. Apples, a fruit traditionally associated with the cool climes of the Himalayas, have found an unexpected home in this harsh, arid landscape.
In the districts of Sikar and Jhunjhunu, farmers are now successfully cultivating apples, defying the typical notion that the fruit requires a cooler climate to grow.
A Dream Turned Reality For Sikar’s Santosh Khedar
Santosh Khedar, a farmer from Beri village in Sikar, never imagined that her small-scale experiment would blossom into a full-fledged apple orchard.
In 2015, she received a single apple sapling from the National Innovation Foundation in Gujarat.
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What began as a humble attempt to test the limits of desert agriculture has now further turned into a flourishing apple farm, yielding over 6,000 kg of apples each season.
“We initially had our doubts, but with organic farming practices and patience, we saw our first apples grow a year later,” said Santosh, reflecting on her journey.
An Apple Variety Designed For Extremes
The key to Santosh’s success lies in the HRMN-99 apple variety, specially developed to withstand high temperatures.
“This variety can thrive in regions where summer temperatures exceed 40°C,” explained Rahul, Santosh’s son and an agriculture graduate.
This resilience has enabled the family to expand their orchard, from a single sapling to 100 apple trees using grafting techniques.
The trees now further require minimal irrigation, and the family barely needs extra water.
“Horticultural studies show that once apple trees are mature, they need watering only once every two weeks,” said Madan Lal Jat, deputy director of horticulture.
“Flowering begins in February, and the apples are ready for harvest by June.”
A Growing Trend Across Rajasthan
What was once seen as a far-fetched idea has now become a reality, with many neighboring farmers following Santosh’s lead.
“Those who once laughed at the idea of apple trees now come to ask for saplings,” she said, proudly recounting how her success has inspired others.
In Katrathal village, Mohit Chaudhary has also planted 50 apple trees, mirroring Santosh’s journey.
Agricultural experts like Jat further see this as a sign of a larger shift in Rajasthan’s farming landscape.
“Ten years ago, people in Barmer were growing dates and pomegranates. Now, we’re seeing strawberries in Chittorgarh and Bhilwara,” Jat said.
He further predicts that apple farming could expand significantly in the next five years, spreading to more regions within the desert.
As Rajasthan’s farmers embrace new agricultural possibilities, the success of apples in the Thar Desert stands as a testament to innovation and resilience, transforming the way we think about desert farming.
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