Upset over poor prices, growers want HPMC in marketing role

Upset over the unremunerative prices being offered for premium apple, apple growers want Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Limited (HPMC) to help them market their produce at good price.

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“The HPMC was formed in the 1970s for marketing fresh fruit and providing post-harvest facilities. Unfortunately, the HPMC has been reduced to buying culled apple under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and its processing into juice concentrate, jam, etc. It must do the job for which it was originally created,” said Lokinder Bisht, president of the Progressive Growers Association.

Last year, the HPMC had entered the market to buy apple when commission agents threatened to not buy the fruit on the basis of weight. The HPMC did not have to buy much as the commission agents eventually agreed to buy apple as per the directions of the government.

“The HPMC should have entered the market this year too. Its presence would not have allowed the prices to fluctuate so much. And if the sharp drop in prices that we are witnessing for the last few weeks is manipulated, HPCM’s presence would have controlled it to a large extent,” said Harish Chauhan, convener of the Sanyukt Kisan Manch.

HPMC Managing Director Sudesh Mokhta said the HPMC was not adequately equipped in terms of manpower and resources at the moment to go beyond its current role. “But if there’s a nod from the government and demand from the growers, the HPMC could start procuring the fruit at its CA stores, much like the private companies, on a pilot project basis from the next year,” he added.

“The HPMC can have a positive impact on the apple industry if it starts procuring premium apple and works on marketing of the fruit,” said Bisht.

Prakash Thakur, former HPMC vice-chairman, also feels it is high time the HPMC revamped itself and entered the market afresh and innovative. “The HPMC did excellent work at the start, helping growers to market their produce in different markets of the country. It even exported apple to countries like Sri Lanka. The HPMC could do it all over again if provided with adequate and competent staff and resources,” he added.

Thakur said that the HPMC would need to come out with fresh and innovate ways to succeed in its objectives. “There’s no point in becoming just another commission agent. It will have to tap online marketing, have tie-ups with big malls, etc, to become a game-changer for the growers,” said Thakur.