Government Raises Minimum Support Price for Apple and Other Fruits Under
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Shimla, Aug 25 – The state government has taken a momentous step to benefit apple growers by significantly increasing the minimum support price (MSP) under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) from Rs. 10.50 to Rs. 12 per kg. This unprecedented move marks the first time that the state government has implemented a Rs. 1.50 hike in one go. Furthermore, the minimum support price for mango, kinnow, malta, and orange has also been raised from Rs. 10.50 to Rs. 12 per kg under MIS. Lemon will also be included in MIS procurement at par with galgal, priced at Rs. 10 per kg.
Government announced that a total of 1,43,778 metric tonnes of apples are earmarked for procurement under MIS. To facilitate this extensive procurement effort, 312 procurement centers will be established to accommodate the needs of fruit growers. Of these centers, 210 will be managed by the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC), while the remaining 102 will be overseen by HIMFED. This decision is projected to yield an additional benefit of approximately Rs. 24 crore for apple growers.
The state government has removed the differentiation in procurement rates among various types of mangoes, such as seedling, grafted, and kacha aachari mangoes, to simplify the process for farmers. Previously, different varieties of mangoes were procured at different rates, but the present government has established a uniform procurement rate of Rs. 12 per kg for all three types.
Similar to the approach with mangoes, the procurement rates for kinnow, malta, and orange have been aligned with those of apples and mangoes, all set at Rs. 12 per kg. The state government has also eliminated the grade system for procuring kinnow, malta, and orange, further streamlining the process for farmers. Additionally, during the 2023-24 period, galgal and lemon will also be procured at the rate of Rs. 10 per kg.
MIS serves as a protective measure against the exploitation of middlemen, and the government’s priority is to strengthen the local economy of farmers by introducing pro-farmer initiatives. He emphasized that the state government is committed to supporting farmers by offering subsidies on insecticides, pesticides, and fungicides. The government’s concerted efforts are focused on transforming the landscape of fruit farming, ensuring equitable compensation for farmers, and fostering growth in the agricultural sector.
