Apples in Tropical Highlands of Northern (Ethiopia: Potentials and Challenges

摘要

Apple cultivation, a traditional activity in countries with a temperate climate, has been gaining importance in areas with sub-tropical and even tropical climatic conditions. Though the exact period is not known, it is believed that apple trees were first introduced to Tigray, northern Ethiopia, approximately 40 years ago. However, it is only in the last decade that apple production has started to increase in volume. Thus, apple is becoming a potential fruit crop for the highlands where fruit growingand consumption was for a long time not an.important component of the farming system and diet of the people. However, most introductions so far have been made without regard to the adaptability/chilling requirement of the cultivars or to the specific growing conditions of the area. Moreover, as apple production is a new initiative, growers are confronted with many production and management constraints. This paper presents the major challenges and the potentials of apple cultivation in the Tigray highlands.