After record procurement, disposing of rotten apple a challenge for HPMC

The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) has procured a record 94,000 metric tonnes (MT) of culled apple under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) until now this year. The corporation could end up procuring over one lakh MT of culled apple as the harvest season is not over yet. Last year, the HPMC and HIMFED, the government agencies that procured the culled apple until last year, had collectively procured 40,000 MT of culled apple under the MIS. “It’s the highest ever procurement of culled apple by the HPMC,” said corporation Managing Director Arindam Chaudhary.

Though the HPMC has bought apple from the growers, it has not been able to lift a large quantity of the fruit from the collection centres. A large number of bags containing culled apple are stacked on roadside at many places in upper Shimla areas like Kotkhai and Rohru. “A large number of roads were damaged due to heavy rain and apple could not be lifted from many places. Still, roads to 70 collection centres are damaged. So, we have not been able to lift apple from various centres,” said Chaudhary.

He said that the government ordered to dispose of apple that the HPMC could not lift and had started rotting at the collection centres. “Land is identified in consultation with the local panchayat to dispose of rotten apple. A hole is dug at the selected site and apple is put into it. It’s done in a scientific way to ensure proper disposal,” he added.

However, complaints are coming from a few places that apple is not being disposed of properly. Anuksh Chauhan, a Kotkhai resident, said that apple bags had been thrown in a jungle from the road at one point. “Besides, there are a large number of apple bags stacked up along the road at Kathandi Nala. It has become a health hazard as a large number of flies are getting attracted to them,” he added. Chaudhary said that apple could not be disposed of in the open and action would be taken if someone was found not following the proper process.