- विज्ञापन -
Shimla: The government has given instructions regarding the purchase of apples under the Mandi Mediation Scheme (MIS). Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi has asked the officials to purchase apples from the gardeners as per the support price, as before. In the meeting he held with the officials regarding the preparations for the apple season, MIS apple purchases were also discussed. Although the purchase of apples will be done according to the support price announced earlier for the gardeners, it has been asked to ensure that the gardeners do not face any kind of problem.
According to the information, the government is ready to purchase as many apples as possible this time under the Mandi Mediation Scheme.
Two government agencies, HPMC and Himfed, will set up special apple purchase centers for gardeners, and apples will be purchased from them.
The gardeners give D-grade apples to these agencies, which are used in making juice, squash, jam, etc.
HPMC prepares these products, which are in great demand not only in Himachal but also in other states. It is also sold in Delhi, and there is an agreement with the railways to sell HPMC products. The state government declares the support price every year to provide relief to the orchardists. Last year, the government increased it by Rs 2.5 at once, so it is believed that the support price may not increase this year. With the start of the apple season, the demands of orchardists will also come from the government. This time, more than 200 collection centers will be opened in the state. For this, instructions have been given to HPMC and Himfed. Apart from Shimla district, apple purchase centers are open in Mandi, Kullu, Solan, and Kinnaur.
Apples worth Rs 40 to 50 crore are purchased from orchardists every year. The outstanding amount of the apple purchased last year has not been fully cleared yet. The outstanding amount of Rs 20 crore will be cleared by next week, with which the purchase of apples will start afresh under the new apple season.
