Aarti | TNR
Red gold apple, already famous in Himachal, would now be sold across markets in the middle east for the first time.
Following persistent efforts of orchard owners for export of locally grown apples, Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd (HPMC) in association with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has initiated steps in this direction.
Orchard owners had also urged the government to consider exporting apples to SAARC countries other than the middle east. So far the apples are being exported to Nepal and Bangladesh among the SAARC nations. The apple business already fetches a revenue of over Rs 4200 crore in Himachal.
A virtual meeting between officials of HPMC, APEDA and office-bearers of producers’ association has already been held. The latter have urged that the payment for apples being exported should be guaranteed and handled by HPMC.
If HPMC’s efforts bear fruit then the Himchali apples would hit the markets of Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Yemen, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Apple orchard owners here have been employing new techniques for the past decade to be able to compete in the international market with a better variety. New varieties have been imported from Italy and USA, which has resulted in an increase in production. Efforts are already being made to introduce new apple varieties through a horticulture development project, which has got Rs 1134 crore aid from the World Bank.
Himachal Pradesh Fruits and Vegetables Producers’ Association president Harish Chauhan has lauded the efforts being made by HPMC for the proposed export of Himachali apples to the middle east countries. He said that at present nearly 44 countries in the world are exporting their apples to India, which is not conducive for apple growers of Himachal, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.
Apples grown in 10 districts
Apples play a major role in garnering revenue for Himachal Pradesh. Out of the 12 districts, apples are grown in 10 on 1,15,154 hectare land. Record production of 8,92,112 metric tonne was recorded in 2010. Bad weather leads to a fall in production by 3.50 metric tonne on average.
HPMC ready to work as nodal agency
HPMC managing director Rajeshwar Goyal said that this corporation is ready to work as a nodal agency for the export of apples from Himachal. Efforts are on to commence export of apples to middle east countries from this year, he added.
