Virus threat to apple economy from imported rootstocks echoes in House

The issue of a potential virus threat to the Rs 5,000 crore apple economy of the state from uncertified and non-quarantined imported plant material being bought by growers echoed in the Vidhan Sabha today.

Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathore raised the issue during the Question Hour. “Known and unknown virus is coming into Himachal through imported plant material, which can pose a threat to the apple economy,” he warned. He also questioned the failure of the horticulture university at Nauni in Solan to develop indigenous rootstock that was suited to the state’s agro-climatic conditions.

Chopal MLA Balbir Verma expressed similar concerns over the import of uncertified and non-quarantined rootstocks into apple orchards in five districts of the state. “There must be strict action against all those who are importing plant material illegally, as this can ruin our apple economy, which is the mainstay of thousands of families,” he added.

Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that action had been taken against those who were illegally importing uncertified rootstocks. “In 2023-24, we had launched a campaign to check the import of non-quarantined plants and 25 vehicles carrying 2.95 lakh imported saplings were impounded. In 2024-25, only four big containers were caught and 68,000 saplings were destroyed. The Horticulture Department is making efforts to prohibit the entry of non-quarantined plant material into the state,” he added.

The minister admitted that the scientists of the Nauni horticulture university had so far not been able to develop any indigenous varieties that were suitable to the local agro-climatic conditions. “We will hold a meeting with them to ensure there is a thrust on research and developing new varieties,” Negi added.

He said, “We will propagate 50,000 plant materials in collaboration with an Italian firm. We are hopeful that we will be able to provide quality rootstocks, which normally costs Rs 700 per plant, for Rs 450 per plant.” He added that 1.77 lakh apple rootstocks, which had been imported and propagated in the nurseries of the department and the Nauni university, were being provided to growers at a reasonable price.

Negi said that preparing plant material to meet the entire demand of the growers was a tough challenge and it would require the setting up of a certification centre at a cost of Rs 500 crore. He assured the House that strict action would be taken against those engaged in the supply of illegally imported plants material.