Roads blocked, apple procurement centre set up at Mandi’s Jwalapur

The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) today launched a temporary procurement centre for the apple growers of Jwalapur in Mandi district. The move comes after Deputy Director (Horticulture) Sanjay Gupta chaired a meeting in view of the adverse impact of natural calamities and blocked roads in the region on the apple growers who were unable to transport their produce to markets.

Gupta said that the procurement centre had become operational 150 boxes of apple were procured on the first day. “This centre has come as a major relief for apple growers of Jwalapur and nearby areas, especially panchayats in the Panarsa region, where transportation has to be halted due to road blockages,” he added. Around 100 families would directly benefit from the initiative.

The Horticulture Department has been tasked with daily monitoring and reporting of apple transportation to the district administration. Gupta said that 97 per cent of apple had been harvested in Mandi. He reiterated that the administration, Horticulture Department and the HPMC were working in close coordination to ensure timely relief and the procurement of apple from farmers. “Every effort is being made to ensure that no apple grower suffers due to natural calamities or infrastructural constraints,” he added.

This initiative reflects the proactive approach of the state government in safeguarding the interests of horticulturists and strengthening the agri-supply chain, even during challenging circumstances. It also reinforces the importance of localised procurement hubs to ensure market access during logistical disruptions.

The launch of the procurement centre is expected to significantly ease the economic burden on affected farmers and ensure that their produce reaches markets without further delay.