Apple farming in India is mostly practiced in hilly regions of Himanchal Pradesh , Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Within these regions, apple-growing areas are scattered , making exchange of knowledge among farmers increasingly difficult further owing to the terrain and economic development of these areas, farmers here are deprived of appropriate technology for farming adequate financial support, transportation and a farming-friendly marketing network. Their knowledge about the mainstream market where their produce is sold is heavily limited by these factors, leading them to depend on middlemen who procure the produce at rates much lower than those prevailing in the market. Moreover, high cost of transportation, unpredictable weather conditions and other related issues have led to apple farming becoming an increasingly difficult occupation for people in hilly regions.
Some of the guiding principles behind the projects, are:
Invest in profitable agro-business ventures.
Continued strategic guidance by professional/business partners.
Invest, but also plough back profits and to improve bargaining position