Himachal Pradesh apple production declines due to adverse weather

Apple production in Himachal Pradesh has declined this season due to unseasonal rainfall, cold weather during the flowering stage, and inadequate chilling hours, according to Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi.

Under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) and the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Marketing and Consumers Federation Limited (HIMFED) have procured 13,202.666 metric tons of apples so far. Approximately 1,23,34,739 apple boxes have reached markets during the current season.

Minister Negi addressed the state government’s management of MIS payments, stating that the current administration cleared Rs 114 crore in outstanding dues inherited from the previous government and has paid over Rs 262 crore to farmers and orchardists to date. Reforms under the Vyavastha Parivartan initiative have replaced traditional registration with an application-based system to increase transparency. Payments via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) have been issued to over 14,000 farmers and orchardists, with further verifications ongoing for those with larger quantities.