Upper Shimla Area

Himachal Pradesh is called the Apple state of the country and is also known as the fruit bowl of the nation.Apple is the main fruit crop of Himachal Pradesh and is grown in nine out of the twelve districts.It
contributes to 40 percent of the fruit growing areas in H.P. Kinnaur and Shimla are the main apple producing districts of H.P.The normal production of apples ranges from 17 million to 20 million boxes in the state.Though the apple season proper is yet to begin,but some of the early varieties such as ‘Red Gold’, ‘Summer Green’ and ‘Red June’ from Jubbal,Rohru,Kotkhai and Chopal areas in Shimla district have reached the markets.

Analysis of the marketing of apples in Himachal Pradesh, India, shows that despite the price support for apples announced since 1981, the marketing system is riddled with myriad problems. Farmers had marketing margins of 41% in 1984-85 and 42% in 1995-96. It is suggested that multipronged strategies should be explored for the future development of horticultural crops in the state in order to achieve better returns for the growers.

The growing importance of the Apple Industry is bringing about a revolution in the state.Himachal Pradesh is now one of those states of the country which is quickly transforming itself from the most backward state to an advanced one.

Some future projects consists of:

(a) A network of one transhipment center and about twelve packing houses, three collection stations,and
four cold storages;

(b) A juice concentrate plant to utilize cull apples not marketable as fresh fruit;

(c) Road construction and improvements providing sufficient all-weather road
connections between orchard areas and project collection stations and packing
houses, and the necessary road links from them to the existing highways system;

(d) Aerial cableways in selected production areas where the steep terrain precludes
economic road construction;

(e) Training programs and technical assistance;

(f) A project evaluation study.