Deal with NZ to boost apple output

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 19

Experts from New Zealand will provide its latest technology and “world’s best apple management practices” to the state orchardists under the Rs1,134 crore horticulture-modernisation project that aims at increasing fruit productivity to make Himachal’s apple competent in international market.

The project aims at increasing apple productivity from the present 8 Metric Tonne per hectare to a double-digit figure — something around 30 MT per hectare.

CM Jai Ram Thakur and New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna Kempkers had a detailed discussion on various issues related to new technology. New Zealand boasts of world’s highest productivity i.e. 65 MT per hectare and provides technical know-how to as many as 60 to 70 countries. The state government has engaged with New Zealand for better apple management, while Netherland would guide Himachal in the post-harvest sector under the project, sources said.

“High-tech horticulture will be a game changer and Himachal seeks expertise to increase low productivity to 50 per cent of the productivity of New Zealand’s present level,” he said.

Joanna Kempkers said the decision to contact experts from New Zealand was a recognition of its world-class horticulture industry, that was known for its high productivity, fruit quality and innovation in apple production.

She said New Zealand and Indian apple farmers were not competitors in the market, but partners.

World’s best production and post-harvest systems and practices have earned the industry an international reputation for producing fruit of the highest quality. If all goes well, the project would improve productivity and the quality of apple, generating better returns.

Horticulture Minister Mahendar Singh Thakur said the government’s aim was to improve the economic condition of state’s small and marginal farmers. The project would focus on Mandi and Sirmaur districts, he said.

Principal Secretary Horticulture JC Sharma said foreign expertise would play a pivotal role in guiding, monitoring and training scientific and new innovative technologies that are being implemented under the project. A contract agreement has already been signed between a team of experts from New Zealand and Himachal following guidelines envisaged by the World Bank, which is funding the project, he said.

Game changer

• CM Jai Ram Thakur and New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna Kempkers had a detailed discussion on various issues related to new technology and the "world's best apple management practices" in vogue among apple farmers in New Zealand
• Sign contract agreement following guidelines envisaged by the World Bank