Ethral sprayed, bird eaten and pests infested fruits won’t be accepted

Shimla: The State Government has given approval for implementation of Market Intervention Scheme for procurement of apple in the State during the year 2018.

The scheme will be implemented with effect from 20 July, 2018 to 31 October, 2018.

Horticulture Department officer said the Market Intervention Scheme will be implemented for procurement of 2,29,136 metric tonnes apple for which procurement price will be Rs. 7.50 per kg. The handling charges will be Rs. 2.75 per kg. and assumed sale realization will be Rs. 3.50 per kg.

The horticulture department has decided to open 279 procurement centres as per demand of the fruit growers out of which, 162 collection centres will be opened and operated by the HPMC and 117 by the HIMFED by their own staff for which funds amounting to Rs. 258.46 lakh (Rs. 152.28 lakh for HPMC and Rs. 106.18 lakh for HIMFED) will be provided by the government..

The fruits would be procured in 35 kg. gunny bags with 2.5 percent more fruits in view of evapo-transpiration and respiration losses.

Only apple having diameter above 51 mm will be procured/accepted under the scheme. Fruit having punctured skin or bird eaten/damaged would not be accepted. Fruit infested with insects/pests and fungal diseases including scab will not be accepted. Ethral sprayed fruit would also not be accepted. Immature/over mature or over ripe, severely bruised fruit would also not be accepted. However, fruits having slight hail damage, sight bruising, russeting and misshapen fruit will be accepted.