The state government on Wednesday requested the Centre to hike the import duty on apples to safeguard the interests of fruit growers of Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and northeast
More than a month after senior Congress leader Vidya Stokes raised her concerns about apples from the state receiving a severe beating in Indian markets, following bulk imports from foreign countri
Fresh stocks of Himachal apples are set to hit the markets next month, but they may spoil the taste of many buyers as more than half of the fruit crops, including cherries, peaches and green almonds, have already been damaged by unfavourable weather conditions.
The worst disappointment to apple growers has come from unprecedented spells of hail storms, which took a heavy toll on the crop, wipin
The government today dispatched teams of the Horticulture Department to assess the widespread damage caused by the intense fury of the hailstorm over the past two days in the entire apple belt of Shimla and parts of Kinnaur with the estimated damage to the apple crop already touching Rs 248 crore.
A strong hailstorm last evening caused major damage to the apple crop in most areas of Shimla dist
A severe hailstorm caused extensive damage to the apple crop in the Kotkhai area in the heart of the apple belt.
The hailstorm struck in the afternoon and continued to lash the region for about 90 minutes. The maximum damage was reported from Baghi, Ratnari, Baghal, Kalbogh, Khaneti, Tharola and adjoining areas.
The sudden drop in temperature after scattered rains and thundershowers has brought fresh worries for the apple growers, who were expecting a good apple season after apple plants got sufficient chilling hours in winter.
