Himachal apple concentrate production hitOctober 11th, 2009 SHIMLA - The decline in apple cultivation in Himachal Pradesh has left apple concentrate production by the state's horticulture department high and dry. The total apple production this season will be around 18 million boxes of 25 kg each, considerably less than last year's 26 million crates, Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta said.
Himachal apple farmers facing transportation problemSeptember 23rd, 2009 KOTKHAI - Hundreds of apple farmers are facing trouble in Himachal Pradesh, as their produce is not able to reach markets on time due to bad road conditions in Kotkhai subdivision of Shimla. The cultivators complain that potholes on the roads and landslips are not taken care due to which the apple-loaded trucks get stuck in long jams.
Himachal Pradesh despatches 74 lakh boxes of applesSeptember 23rd, 2009 SHIMLA - The apple season in Himachal Pradesh has finally picked up with 7,400,000 boxes having been transported out of the state. "The apple season is in full swing and 74 lakh boxes have reached various markets in the country.
Himachal gets Rs.243.43 crore for rural roadsSeptember 22nd, 2009 SHIMLA - The central government has sanctioned projects worth Rs.243.43 crore that would help strengthen the rural road network in Himachal Pradesh, an official statement said Tuesday. "In order to strengthen the rural road network in the state, the central government has approved Rs.243.43 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana," Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Thakur Gulab Singh said in the statement.
Himachal wants duty hike on Chinese apple concentrateSeptember 6th, 2009 SHIMLA - Himachal Pradesh wants higher import duty on apple juice concentrate from China, saying this was necessary to save the domestic industry. Apple concentrate is used for fruit juices, nectars and drinks.
Himachal Pradesh to hold apple festivalSeptember 3rd, 2009 SHIMLA - Himachal Pradesh will hold a two-day apple festival here from Oct 3 to promote the fruit it is famous for, Chief Secretary Asha Swaroop said Thursday. "The state government in collaboration with the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) is holding an 'Apple Festival-09' in Shimla Oct 3 to 4," Swaroop told IANS.
Low apple production causes unemployment in Himachal PradeshAugust 31st, 2009 SHIMLA - The low apple crop production in Himachal Pradesh has led to loss of business and unemployment in the state. Many people have been left jobless in the state, as apple crop production has come down by almost seventy five percent.
Rail passengers will get Himachal apple juiceAugust 1st, 2009 SHIMLA - Train travellers will soon be able to quaff apple juice from Himachal Pradesh with Indian Railways deciding to serve it on important trains, state Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta said Saturday. "The state government and the railways have reached an understanding under which packaged juices made from Himachal Pradesh apples would be provided to the passengers," Bragta told reporters.
Scant rainfall affects apple crop in ShimlaJuly 21st, 2009 SHIMLA - Apple growers in Shimla are a worried lot as scant rainfall has hit apple yield. "No use of the rains as majority of our crop has ruined.
Increase import duty on apple juice concentrate: HimachalJuly 4th, 2009 SHIMLA - Himachal Pradesh has requested the central government to increase the import duty on apple juice concentrate to save the domestic industry. Himachal Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta Saturday met Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma in New Delhi and apprised him of the threats to this sector from Chinese companies, a state government statement said.
Pre-monsoon showers bring relief in HimachalJune 29th, 2009 SHIMLA - Pre-monsoon showers in Shimla and other parts of Himachal Pradesh Monday brought much relief from the scorching heat, weather officials here said. "Pre-monsoon showers Monday early morning brought much relief from the prolonged heat wave in various areas of Shimla, Kangra and Mandi districts," meteorological office director Manmohan Singh told IANS.
Himachal Pradesh senior police officer suspendedJanuary 22nd, 2009 SHIMLA - A senior police officer of Himachal Pradesh has been suspended after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) framed charges against him, an official said Friday. Additional Director General of Police B.S.
Himachal to market apple waste manureJanuary 15th, 2009 SHIMLA - Himachal Pradesh will market organic manure produced from apple solid waste, a senior official said Friday. 'We will market organic manure produced from apple pomace (solid waste left after extraction of juice from fruit),' said Bharat Khera, managing director of Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Processing and Marketing Corp (HPMC).
Farmers in Himachal Pradesh turn to kiwi cultivationJanuary 12th, 2009 SHIMLA - Fruit growers in Himachal Pradesh are increasingly taking to commercial cultivation of the exotic kiwi fruit. Horticulture experts say it's a good step towards crop diversification and fetching them good returns too.
Snowfall raises hopes of good apple harvest in HimachalJanuary 6th, 2009 SHIMLA - Farmers and horticulture experts are hoping that the light to moderate snowfall in the mid hills of Himachal Pradesh during the past few days after a long dry spell would ensure a good apple harvest this year too. 'The onset of the snowfall season in the apple-growing belt would prove to be a boon for farmers.