Reinforcing his government’s strong commitment towards the welfare of Himachal Pradesh’s horticulture community, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) to begin comprehensive preparations for apple procurement under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) well ahead of the upcoming season.
Chairing a high-level review meeting in Shimla, the Chief Minister emphasized that apple growers, particularly small and marginal farmers, remain at the centre of the state government’s policy priorities. He instructed HPMC officials to ensure that all procurement arrangements are completed in advance and that procurement centres across the state are notified early so that orchardists do not face inconvenience during the harvest season.
Highlighting the achievements of the state government in the horticulture sector, Sukhu stated that HPMC procured a record 98,540 metric tonnes of apples under the MIS during 2025 — the highest procurement in Himachal Pradesh’s history. The achievement, he said, reflects the government’s focused efforts to provide a reliable support mechanism for growers amid fluctuating market conditions and rising input costs.
The Chief Minister pointed out that unlike previous years, when procurement responsibilities were shared with other agencies including HIMFED, the state government entrusted the entire responsibility solely to HPMC last year. According to Sukhu, the centralized approach has improved operational efficiency and accountability, and the arrangement will continue in the coming seasons as well.
In a major push towards modernization and transparency, Sukhu also directed officials to fully digitize the apple procurement system from the next season onward. He said the entire process — from procurement records to payment management and farmer data — should be integrated into an end-to-end digital framework to ensure transparency, efficiency and hassle-free operations for horticulturists.
The Chief Minister underlined that his government is determined to safeguard the interests of apple growers and ensure that they receive fair returns for their produce. He said the administration has already taken several reform-oriented steps aimed at strengthening the horticulture economy in the hill state. Among the most notable initiatives, he mentioned the introduction of a universal carton system, which was designed to prevent exploitation in apple packaging and marketing while ensuring uniformity and better pricing for growers.
Sukhu further noted that the state government has released the highest-ever amount under the MIS to clear pending dues of apple growers, reflecting its commitment to financial accountability and farmer welfare. He reiterated that horticulture is one of the strongest pillars of Himachal Pradesh’s rural economy and that the government would continue to introduce farmer-friendly measures to strengthen the sector.
The meeting also reflected the government’s broader vision of integrating governance with technology to improve service delivery and transparency in agriculture and horticulture-related operations. Senior officials present during the review included Jagat Singh Negi, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Secretary Horticulture C. Paulrasu, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Special Secretary D.C. Rana and Director Digital Technology and Governance Dr. Nipun Jindal.
With preparations for the next apple season already underway, the Sukhu government appears focused on building a more organized, transparent and farmer-centric procurement ecosystem. The latest directives are being viewed as part of a larger effort to modernize Himachal Pradesh’s horticulture infrastructure while ensuring that orchardists, especially those in remote hill regions, continue to receive institutional support and economic security.
