For most people, apples are synonymous with cool mountain air, terraced orchards on Himalayan slopes, and crates transported down from regions like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, or Shimla. The fruit has traditionally belonged to cooler climates, making the idea of growing it in hot and dry plains seem nearly impossible and counterintuitive to nature.
However, a farmer from Andhra Pradesh has challenged this notion by successfully cultivating apples in a region where temperatures frequently soar. In Kotanka village, located in the Garladinne mandal of Anantapur district within the Rayalaseema region, 46-year-old Ramana Reddy has harvested a notable crop of bright red apples. Anantapur is typically characterized by some of the lowest rainfall in peninsular India and summer temperatures that surpass 45°C, making it an unexpected location for apple farming.
How an Israeli Variety Enabled the Harvest
The breakthrough came after Reddy connected with a friend working in Israel, who introduced him to a heat-resistant apple variety developed specifically by Israeli agricultural scientists for arid and high-temperature environments. Intrigued by the possibility, Reddy decided to plant these specialized saplings on a 2.5-acre plot.
Embarking on this agricultural experiment required a significant financial investment. According to reports, Reddy procured the specialized saplings from Israel at approximately Rs 280 per plant, spending roughly Rs 4.2 lakh in total for 1,500 saplings. He utilized a 12x6 spacing method to manage the orchard. The initial harvest successfully yielded about one tonne of medium-sized apples that were reported to be of good quality and taste.
Surprising Market Economics
Beyond the successful cultivation in high heat, the economic outcome drew considerable attention. Reddy’s off-season apples commanded impressive market prices, fetching up to Rs 170 per kg for top-grade fruit and Rs 120 per kg for medium grade. In comparison, traditional apples from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir typically sell between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per kg. Because the crop ripened during the off-season and far away from traditional Himalayan supply chains, the southern-grown fruit entered the market during a period of low competition, boosting its financial returns.
The unexpected success has drawn the attention of agricultural authorities. Officials have noted that apple cultivation is emerging as a novel horticultural activity in select mandals of the Anantapuramu district, with early results demonstrating viable fruiting and favorable taste profiles.
Scaling Up Horticultural Innovation
Encouraged by these initial results, the Andhra Pradesh government is evaluating whether the cultivation model can be expanded. Approximately 15 acres across the Garladinne, Kundurpi, and Peddapappur mandals have already been brought under apple cultivation as agricultural experts and officials study the long-term feasibility and scalability of growing temperate fruits in arid Indian climates.