With the Apple season beginning in the state, Himachal government on Friday approved implementation of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for procurement of apple in the State in the current year.
This scheme will be implemented from July 20 to October 31 this year.
A Spokesperson of the Horticulture Department said the Market Intervention Scheme will be implemented for procurement of 2,29,136 metric tonnes apple for which procurement price will be Rs. 7.50 per kg. The handling charges will be Rs. 2.75 per kg. and assumed sale realization will be Rs. 3.50 per kg.
Under the scheme, 279 procurement centres will be opened as per demand of the fruit growers out of which, 162 collection centres will be opened and operated by the HPMC and 117 by the HIMFED by their own staff for which funds amounting to Rs. 258.46 lakh (Rs. 152.28 lakh for HPMC and Rs. 106.18 lakh for HIMFED) will be provided by the government..
The fruits would be procured in 35 kg. gunny bags with 2.5 percent more fruits in view of evapo-transpiration and respiration losses.
The spokesman said only apple having diameter above 51 mm will be procured and accepted under the scheme. Fruit having punctured skin or bird eaten and damaged would not be accepted.
Fruit infested with insects or pests and fungal diseases including scab will not be accepted.
Similarly Ethral sprayed fruit, immature, over mature or over ripe, severely bruised fruit would also not be accepted. However, fruits having slight hail damage and sight bruising will be accepted.