ADB Approves USD 130 Mn Loan for Himachal Pradesh's Horticulture Sector

Horticulture has been a big contributor to the state's economy, and Himachal Pradesh is capable of cultivating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables because of its varied climatic conditions and topography. And over 35 different fruit species could be successfully cultivated in the state.

"More than half of Himachal Pradesh's land area is on mountains, and 90% of the population lives in rural areas dependent on agriculture," said Sunae Kim, ADB Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist for South Asia.

"Improving subtropical horticulture in the state offers a lot of economic opportunities to farmer households. Supporting horticulture value chains will also increase the subsector's contribution to the country's development and food security, according to Kim.

At least 15,000 farm households in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmour, Solan, and Una are expected to benefit from it. Farmers will form cluster-wide community horticulture production and marketing associations as well as district-wide cooperative societies.

Other agricultural practices such as intercropping, beekeeping, and other modern agronomic techniques and skills will be introduced to them. A farmer-producer company (FPC) will be established at the state level to guide agribusiness development and ensure profitability and access to subtropical horticulture markets.

According to ADB, the farmer producer company will be in charge of developing business plans, promoting agribusiness, and designing value-added facilities such as sorting and packaging facilities, as well as storage and collection centres.