The Himachal Pradesh Government has targeted to bring 560 hectares under apple rejuvenation project for improving apple productivity after having simplified guidelines.
Fruit cultivation, mainly that of apples, being the major source of livelihood in higher hills of Shimla, Kullu, Chamba and Mandi and sheltered valleys of Kinnaur and Spiti, said a spokesman of the Horticulture Department, while adding that an additional area of 3,729 hectares had been brought under fruit cultivation in 2013-14.
For ensuring integrated development of horticulture, a sum of Rs42.89 crore was spent under Horticulture Mission during the year, he said.He added, “As many as 45.08 lakh fruit plants were distributed in the State and the total area under all kinds of fruits in the State is now 2.18 lakh hectares. Fruit production in the last financial year was 8.49 lakh tonnes.To make qualitative improvements in good root stocks fruit plantations, 39 new nurseries had been registered, 10.39 lakh fruit plants had been produced at Government nurseries and 60 progeny orchards had been improved.
For technological dissemination, 74768 orchard owners had been trained in camps held the State authorities and for 460 farmers, exposure visits had been organized in 2013-14.For providing a protective anti hail covering over orchards by installing netting, the Government is providing 80 per cent subsidy. About 23.5 lakh square meters of fruit plantations are under anti-hail net covers, claimed the Government official.
For fetching better returns by focusing on improved fruit quality and higher yields, the Government against an approved outlay of Rs84.97 crore, spent Rs124.64 crore in the last financial year.In the current year, the plan outlay has been increased by 19.7 per cent as the Government intends to spend Rs101.72 crore on horticulture, added the spokesman.