Himachal apple growers face CAN fertiliser shortage
Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur has urged the Centre to address the shortage of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) fertiliser, highlighting its impact on apple growers across the state.
In a letter to Union Minister for Health and Chemicals and Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda, Thakur said the apple industry is a key component of Himachal Pradesh’s rural economy. The sector contributes around Rs 6,000 crore annually and supports the livelihoods of thousands of farming families.
Thakur pointed out that CAN (25 per cent) had traditionally served as a reliable and affordable source of nitrogen for apple orchards. However, after the discontinuation of CAN manufacturing, growers have been compelled to use alternatives such as urea, calcium nitrate and mixed NPK fertilisers.
According to the minister, these alternatives are either less suited to the nutritional requirements and application schedules of apple orchards or significantly more expensive. He also flagged concerns over the prolonged use of urea, including soil acidity, deterioration of soil structure and potential damage to plant roots.
Thakur said growers have reported rising tree mortality and declining productivity even as the area under apple cultivation has expanded.
He requested the Union government to coordinate with the concerned authorities and fertiliser manufacturers to facilitate the production and availability of CAN at the earliest.
Nadda, in response, assured Thakur that the matter was being examined by the concerned division and that necessary action would be taken while keeping the interests of horticulturists in mind.
Thakur expressed hope that the issue would be resolved promptly, stressing that timely access to affordable and suitable fertilisers is essential for protecting orchardists and sustaining Himachal Pradesh’s apple economy.
with inputs from PTI
