The onslaught of pests and other unknown diseases have resulted in poor apple yield this year in Dawakha, Paro. Experts, who visited the apple orchards, were unsure as to what caused the trees to die, beside pests.
Even though the Apple season is over, pests are still attacking apple trees. Colonies of Woolly Aphids, an insect that weakens the tree by feeding on limbs and roots, are seen on every apple tree.
“This year, I earned only Nu.70,000. Before I used to earn more than Nu.100,000,” said farmer Phuntsho from Dawakha. From as many as 150 apple trees he owns, he could harvest from only about 80 trees.
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Another farmer, Pema Wangdi, said many apple trees dry up at the top. “Almost all my apple trees have the same problem. The cash income from apples decreased drastically.”
Many people are also relating phenomenon to change in climate pattern. But experts from the National Plant Protection Centre say, with no data or scientific evidence, it is difficult to validate.
A plant specialist, who examined the apple trees in Dawakha, Dr. Thinlay, said he observed two main problems; Woolly Aphids and dead top portions of trees. “It appears as if the trees were set on fire.”
He said they will have to wait until March next year when new leaves start to sprout. Then only, he said, they will be able to decipher the cause.
