Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Saturday said the State Government would set up Cold Stores in various parts of the State to enable horticulturists and farmers get better remuneration for their produce.
Speaking at a function at Kotkhai in Shimla district, the Chief Minister said, “Despite bumper apple produce this year, the horticulturists could not reap the
profits as desired. There was a need to strengthen marketing network and adopt modern infrastructure. The State Government was serious to take appropriate steps in this direction and would set up cold stores so that the produce may have longevity and fetch them better prices”.
Virbhadra Singh appealed to the horticulturists for better understanding of marketing strategy and trends.
“Horticulturists sold their produce in the markets at Delhi and other terminal markets in large quantity which resulted in surplus accumulation of apple in these markets resulting in low prices for their produce,”
he added. Singh said that to provide employment opportunities to the educated youth of the State, the Government had started Skill Development Allowance Scheme and a provision of `100 crore had been made in this fiscal.