The story of apples in Himachal Pradesh began in the early twentieth century with Samuel Evans Stokes, later known as Satyanand Stokes. In 1916, he introduced high-quality apple varieties from the United States and demonstrated that the Himalayan climate was ideal for commercial apple production.

Although the earliest orchards were established in the Shimla region, the success of apple cultivation soon spread to Kinnaur. Farmers recognized that the district’s high altitude, cold winters, abundant sunshine, and mineral-rich soil were exceptionally suited for growing premium apples.