Shimla’s corridors of power echoed with urgency as Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Minister Piyush Goyal in the national capital. Topping the agenda: an impassioned call to prohibit apple imports during the crucial peak harvesting months, shielding Himachal’s orchard owners from market mayhem.
The apple economy pulses through Himachal’s veins, generating over Rs 5,000 crore annually and sustaining rural livelihoods across rugged terrains. Yet, a surge in low-cost imports has turned bounty into burden, with prices plummeting below Rs 40 per kg in recent seasons. Growers, battling climate vagaries and rising input costs, face existential threats from this deluge.
Articulating the growers’ plight, Sukhu detailed how foreign apples, often subsidized and shipped cheaply, arrive precisely when local supplies flood mandis. This timing mismatch devastates prices, forcing distress sales and debt traps. The CM proposed a targeted ban from mid-September to mid-November, coupled with stricter enforcement at borders.
Goyal, known for his proactive industry policies, engaged deeply, promising consultations with stakeholders. The dialogue extended to infrastructure boosts like cold chains and export promotions. Himachal’s apple lobby, represented by bodies like the Fruit Growers Council, has amplified these demands through rallies and memoranda.
With forecasts predicting a record 4.5 million tonne yield this year, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Economists argue that protective measures could fetch fair returns, revitalizing the sector. As political heat rises ahead of state polls, Sukhu’s bold outreach signals a farmer-first governance mantra, potentially reshaping trade norms for perishables.
