Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh : Bad roads force Himachal to dump one-third of 98,000 MT apple procured under MIS
Nearly one-third of the culled apple procured under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) in Himachal Pradesh was destroyed this year after monsoon rains damaged roads, making several collection centres inaccessible.
Nearly one-third of the culled apple procured under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) in Himachal Pradesh was destroyed this year after monsoon rains damaged roads, making several collection centres inaccessible.
Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said a record 98,000 metric tonnes (MT) of apple was procured under the MIS in 2025, but around 30,000 MT had to be destroyed as the Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) could not lift the fruit in time.
“The procured apple was piled up at various roadside collection centres. When the fruit began to rot due to delays caused by broken and damaged roads, orders were issued to destroy it,” Negi said.
Under the MIS, HPMC procures culled apple — often small, damaged or imperfect fruit — at Rs 12 per kg for processing or auction. The destruction of such a large quantity has left the HPMC staring at heavy financial losses, while apple growers fear delays in payment. The minister, however, assured that growers would be paid.
Negi also pointed out that the entire financial burden of the MIS now rests with the state government, as the Centre has effectively withdrawn support. “Earlier, losses under the scheme were shared between the Centre and the state. Since 2023, the Centre has hardly allocated any budget for the MIS,” he said.
Growers say the scheme is crucial at a time of rising input costs, erratic weather, shrinking margins and competition from imported apples. “Every grower ends up with a sizeable quantity of culled apple. If the MIS collapses, farmers will sink deeper into distress,” said Harish Chauhan, convener of the Sanyukt Kisan Manch.
He suggested strengthening fruit processing infrastructure to make the scheme viable for both growers and the government, while others stressed the need for major reforms to curb alleged corruption and keep the MIS afloat.
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