The cultivation process for each fruit crop is highly diversified. Major challenges faced by farmers include finding the right rootstock (especially for citrus and apple), fluctuating climatic conditions and post-harvest lost.
Every fruit grower has a story to tell – we learn what they need by listening closely to that story. India is the largest producer of bananas but ranks lowest in the world in terms of export of bananas. With regards to apples, India can cater to only around 30 % of the total demand consumption within the country. This is due to poor infrastructure for post-harvest storage, poor rootstock/ absence of high yield root stock and other issues like disease management (scab, leaf fall). The major challenge for production of grapes is hail storms which can cause major losses as well as residue management challenge for exports. India is the biggest producer of the tea crop. However, right crop management practices to manage the residue (within the export guidelines) for the export demand remain a major challenge.
There are many trouble-makers which can damage fruit crops and seriously affect the yield and quality of produce. Besides other pest problems such as spider mites, fruit flies, aphids or certain species of caterpillars, it is important for all growers to control thriving weeds that compete strongly for nutrients, water and light. Some of the challenges for fruit crops include diseases like Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Scab, Anthracnose, Bacterial Leaf Spot and Insects like Thrips, Mealy bugs, Jassids, mites, scales, Aphids, etc