Himachal government is contemplating to formulate a Rs 500 crore dedicated project for the rejuvenation of apple cultivation. 

“This project will be implemented for five years and will focus on promoting high-density plantations to enhance farmers’ income and strengthen the rural economy,” said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while chairing a meeting to evaluate the progress of various schemes implemented by the Horticulture Department.

Sukhvinder stressed the importance of diversification in horticulture and said that there’s need to develop improved storage and marketing systems to ensure fair prices for farmers and horticulturists. 

He added that his government was planning to establish modern cold storage facilities at the district level to provide much-needed support to horticulturists.

He said that the government was also working to set up a potato processing unit in Una district to bolster the economy of farmers while creating self-employment opportunities. He reviewed the achievements of various state horticulture schemes during 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Under the Horticulture Development Scheme, Rs 12.84 crore was spent on power tillers and sprayers, benefiting 4,244 horticulturists last year. In the current financial year, Rs 9 crore had been spent so far, benefiting 3,156 horticulturalists.