Himachal CM directs HPMC to start arrangements for apple procurement

He said last year, the HPMC was the sole agency responsible for apple procurement under the MIS scheme, whereas earlier Himachal Pradesh State Co-operative Marketing and Consumers Federation Ltd HIMFED was also involved in the procurement process.

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) to gear up for apple procurement for the upcoming season under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). While reviewing various schemes of the HPMC, the chief minister instructed the officers to make all necessary arrangements before procurement begins for the next season and to notify procurement centres in advance for the convenience of apple growers across the state, a statement issued on Thursday said. He emphasised digitising the functioning of the HPMC. He said from the next season, the entire procurement process and data should be digitised end-to-end to ensure transparency and hassle-free procurement for the horticulturists. The chief minister said the HPMC procured a record 98,540 metric tonnes of apples in 2025 under the MIS, the highest in the history of the State. He said last year, the HPMC was the sole agency responsible for apple procurement under the MIS scheme, whereas earlier Himachal Pradesh State Co-operative Marketing and Consumers Federation Ltd (HIMFED) was also involved in the procurement process. However, the State Government entrusted the responsibility solely to the HPMC from last year, and the arrangement would continue in future as well, the statement said. The chief minister said the state government is committed to ensuring the welfare of apple growers, especially small and marginal farmers and asked the HPMC to maximise benefits for them.