Farmers welcome HP govt’s decision to introduce universal cartons for apple produce

Apple farmers welcomed the decision of the Himachal Pradesh government to implement the universal carton for apple packaging in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh on April 07. They also welcomed the decision to implement the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act. “Apart from the Kullu district, in other apple and fruit markets in Shimla, Kinnaur and other apple-producing areas in market yards, the farmers bring the apple in boxes without weighing it. The traders buy the apple on the basis of the box not on the per kg basis. During the recent past, we conducted four to five meetings with farmers, traders and carton producers and other stakeholders and have decided to allow apples only on the basis of per kg. Whatever box the farmers may use they will have to weigh the boxes and we have fixed a maximum limit of 24 kg so that farmers are not exploited by the traders,” said Jagat Singh Negi, the horticulture minister.Farmers have been demanding the implementation of all three Acts including the Legal Metrology Act 2009, APMC Act 2005 and Himachal Pradesh Passengers and Goods Taxation Act, 1955. These three acts will help the farmers to get good prices for their horticulture production and give relief from the loot of the traders. Now, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on April 06 that the apples will be sold on a per kg basis in the state.