- विज्ञापन -
There is some news of relief for apple growers. The central government has increased the minimum import price of apple from Rs 50 per kg to Rs 80 per kg. The gardener organizations claim that its notification will be issued in a day or two. To protect the interests of apple growers, the Center has increased the minimum import price (MIP) by amending the import policy.
Himachal’s apple growers are suffering losses due to foreign apples. With the implementation of minimum import price of Rs 80, after adding the import duty, foreign apples will reach India at a minimum price of Rs 130 per kg. If the illegal import of apples through South Asian Free Trade Countries (SAFTA) is stopped, then this decision of the central government will prove to be more beneficial for the apple growers of Himachal.
A large quantity of Iranian apples reach India without import duty via Pakistan in the name of Afghanistan. Progressive Growers Association President Lokendra Singh Bisht says that his organization has been fighting for increasing MIP for a long time.
He said that the central government had assured to increase the MIP from Rs 50 to Rs 80 last week, but in the interest of the orchardists, our demand is to increase it to Rs 100 per kg. However, even an increase of Rs 30 will provide great relief to the apple orchardists of Himachal. Himachal Apple Growers Society President Rajeev Chauhan said that he had raised the matter of an increase in MIP with the Union Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture.
He said that written information has been received from the ministry regarding increasing the import price from Rs 50 to Rs 80. Orchardists will benefit from the decision. On the other hand, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that he does not have any official information in this regard.
