Elevating farmer voices to the Centre’s table, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held talks with Piyush Goyal, urging a blanket ban on apple imports amid peak production frenzy. The proposal aims to fortify market stability and rescue growers from import-induced price dives.
Apples aren’t merely fruit in Himachal; they’re economic engines powering 10% of the state’s GDP. From family-run groves in Theog to commercial setups in Mashobra, over 50,000 hectares yield riches – until imports sour the deal. Cheaper shipments from afar coincide with domestic gluts, slashing realizations by half and sparking sector-wide gloom.
Sukhu painted a vivid crisis picture: growers incurring Rs 1.5 lakh per bigha costs only to sell at losses. He pitched a no-import window during harvest peaks, alongside tech infusions like precision farming aids. The minister, appreciating the nuances, committed to swift action via commerce ministry channels.
Parallel discussions touched NAFED procurement hikes and insurance expansions. Amid bumper crop alerts, apple mandis brace for volatility. Analyst projections suggest import curbs could lift average prices to Rs 80/kg, spurring reinvestments and youth retention in agriculture.
This engagement reflects Sukhu’s proactive stint, blending diplomacy with determination. As global supply chains evolve, protecting seasonal peaks emerges as a blueprint for other produce states, heralding sustainable agri-trade equilibrium.