Annual temperate fruit plants sale begins at Nauni and research stations

Over 27,685 plants sold to 829 farmers

Solan Dec 16 : The much-anticipated annual sale of temperate fruit plants kicked off today at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, as well as its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Regional Horticulture Research and Training Stations located across the state. Farmers from Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring states flocked to these centers to purchase a wide range of fruit plants, including apple, pear, plum, apricot, peach, cherry, kiwifruit, walnut, persimmon, grapes and pomegranate, etc.

On the first day of the sale, 537 farmers purchased over 16,173 plants from the three nurseries at the University main campus at Nauni- Fruit Science, Seed Science and Model Farm nurseries, as well as Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Kandaghat and Rohru, and the Regional Horticulture Research and Training Stations in Mashobra (Shimla) and Sharbo (Kinnaur).

Additionally, the University’s Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station at Bajaura, in Kullu district, had started its sale on December 9. During the first week, it provided over 11,512 plants of various fruit varieties to 292 farmers, contributing to the total number of plants sold, which now stands at 27,685 plants to 829 farmers. .

This year, there has been a noticeable interest in diversifying fruit crops, with high demand for persimmon, kiwifruit and other stone fruits, alongside different varieties of apples. The university has made a total of over 2 lakh plants available for sale across all locations. The sale is being conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis and will continue in the coming days.