Pinjore apple market will help HP, J&K farmers: Agri minister

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 29

An ultramodern apple and fruits market, which was to come up on 78-acres in Pinjore, will help in economic development and benefit apple farmers of Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

This was stated by Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Jai Prakash Dalal while addressing a consultation meeting organised for various stakeholders at apple market in Pinjore here today.

The infrastructure, modern technology and other types of facilities for the apple market were discussed at the meeting. “The state government has already set up an apple market on three acres at Sector 20 in Panchkula, but during peak apple season there is shortage of space and other problems,” added Dalal.

“Therefore, the decision to set up first largest apple market in Pinjore will benefit farmers, traders and enable logistic facilities from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and other provinces of North India,” said Dalal.

Apples coming from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu are kept at cold storage in far-flung places, including Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai, which not only incurs huge transportation expenses, but also affects the quality of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, new apple market in Pinjore will solve all these problems.

Participants at the meeting were informed that 5 lakh tonnes of apple was produced in Himachal Pradesh and 18 lakh tonnes in Jammu and Kashmir. Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Sanjeev Kaushal, Chief Administrator, Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, Dr J Ganesan, and Director General (Horticulture), Dr Arjun Singh Saini, were also present at the meeting.