Himachal Pradesh Government Gears up Efforts for Upcoming Apple Season

Keeping in view the upcoming apple season in the state, the Government of Himachal Pradesh has geared up its efforts to make arrangements for logistics of apples, so that the orchardists do not face any inconvenience. CM Jai Ram Thakur, also shed light on various other issues while convening over the review meeting on preparedness regarding harvesting of Apple crop. 

For supply of packaging materials, HPMC has empanelled 26 firms – 

To facilitate fruit growers in the state, Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Limited (HPMC) has empanelled 26 firms for supplying packaging materials, viz., cartons, separators, trays, and other allied items. 

CM Jai Ram Thakur said that the Horticulture Department has tied up with merchants from Aazadpur Mandi, New Delhi and Gannaur Mandi, Haryana for the market linkage of produce. 

Capacity to store 1.17 lakh metric tonnes under cold storage – 

The combined capacity of controlled atmosphere storage facility from both government and private sectors in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi has been estimated to be 1.17 lakh metric tonnes. Besides this, 32,000 MT of cold storage facility is also available. 

Directed PWD to maintain roads in proper conditions – 

For smooth movement of traffic during the apple season, the Public Works Department (PWD) should ensure that the roads are in proper conditions. 

In the meeting, CM Jai Ram Thakur, further added that the farmers should be encouraged to avoid colour spray on the apple crop. He further added that the government is taking all the required steps to meet up the labour shortage in the state. 

APMC to facilitate in supply chain management – 

Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) will facilitate in the movement of market functionaries and concerned District Magistrates would issue the transit passes. APMC will ensure installation of CCTV cameras in the market yards. 

Mahender Singh Thakur, Horticulture Minister Himachal Pradesh, said that horticulture industry accounts for about INR 5,000 crore per annum. He further added, that around 5.83 lakh MT Apple production was expected and the State Government has increased the support price of the apple under the Market Intervention Scheme from Rs 8 to Rs 8.50 per kg. The State Government has also launched KUSHY Scheme for providing incentives for construction of Anti Hail Net Structure in the State. 

Narender Bragta, Chief Whip, thanked the CM for these initiatives and urged him to make adequate arrangements for logistics support for labour.  

Ganesh Dutt, chairman Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Marketing and Consumers Federation Limited (HIMFED) gave a suggestion to deploy Home Guards in collection and procurement centres established by the Government for procurement of Apples so that the law and order in maintained. 

Source – CMO, Himachal Pradesh