Himachal Government on Monday approved the implementation of Market Intervention Scheme for procurement of apple in Himachal Pradesh from July 20 to October 31 this year.
A Spokesperson of Himachal Government said that under the scheme, 279 procurement centres would be opened as per demand of the fruit growers out of which, 162 collection centres would be opened and operated by the HPMC and 117 by HIMFED.
The Market Intervention Scheme would be implemented for procurement of 1,10,704 metric ton apple for which procurement price would be `6.50 per kg whereas handling charges would be `2.75 per kg and assumed sale realisation would be `3.50 per kg. The fruits would be procured in 35 kg gunny bags with 2.5 per cent more fruits in view of evapo-transpiration and respiration losses.
The spokesperson said that under the scheme only apple having diameter above 51 mm would be accepted. Fruit having punctured skin or bird eaten, damaged, infested with insects, pests, fungal diseases including scab, ethral sprayed, immature, over mature or over ripe fruit and severely bruised fruit would not be accepted. However, fruits having slight hail damage, slight bruising, would be accepted.