Himfed will buy apples only till October 30: 18 thousand metric tonnes of apples have been procured; Harvesting work is pending in many parts, gardeners selling hailstorm affected crops to agency

HIMFED will buy apples from gardeners till October 30.

In Himachal Pradesh, HIMFED has fixed the last date for the purchase of apples from the gardeners. Now after October 30, there will be no purchase under AIS from the gardeners. However, apple season work is still going on from many parts of the state and apples have to reach the market from many places. HIMFED has so far purchased 18 thousand 800 metric tonnes of apples during the apple season in the state this time. This is 12 thousand 465 metric tonnes more than the previous season. HIMFED has procured more apples in the current apple season. HIMFED is buying apples from gardeners across the state from 120 different centers. Due to excessive hailstorm in the season, the crop has also been affected. Due to this crop being more tainted, gardeners are approaching Himfed more to sell apples.

Gardeners reached Mandi to sell apples.

Apples bought in more than 5 lakh sacks
HIMFED has procured 18 thousand 80 metric tonnes of apples in 5 lakh 37 thousand sacks from the gardeners during the apple season. By the same time last year, 6 thousand 335 metric tonnes of apples had been procured. A target has been set to procure 25 thousand metric tonnes of apples this year. Last year a total of 19 thousand metric tonnes of apples were purchased.
Heavy damage to apple crop due to hailstorm
The hailstorm has caused significant damage to the crop at many places in the state. Even the apple got tainted. So this time more apples have been bought in Himfed. Now gardeners will have to pluck their tainted apples early to sell the crop to HIMFED first before October 30.
Procurement from gardeners in four districts
Besides Kinnaur district, HIMFED procurement centers have been opened in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu. Apple is being procured under the government’s MIS at the rate of Rs 9.5 per kg. After this, Himfed will sell the apples in the market through auction. Provision has been made in this that the size of the apple should be of good quality and not too tainted.