New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh, the country’s prominent apple-producing region, Tuesday urged the central government to allocate Rs.15 crore special assistance for strengthening post-harvesting facilities in the state.
State Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta met Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Chairman Asit Tripathi in this regard here.
Bragta pleaded for setting up an apple grading and packaging house at Kharapathar, one of the major apple production areas in Shimla district, an official statement said.
He also sought central assistance for packaging and grading centre at Rohru, some 120 km from Shimla, and for upgrading state-run Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corp plant in Jarol near Sundernagar in Mandi district.
The economy of the state is highly dependent on apples, besides hydro-power and tourism. The apple industry is worth Rs.1,500 crore (around $330 million).
