Himachal Pradesh is initiating a strategy to enhance its fruit economy, aiming to establish itself at the forefront of innovative horticulture practices. The state government is planning to increase the area under horticulture, with apples being a major part of the fruit production and marketing. However, there is a shift towards diversifying into new fruit varieties due to the state's climate being favorable for high-value fruits such as persimmons, mango, litchi, citrus, pomegranate, low chilling varieties of peach, plum, pear, strawberry, dragon fruit, blueberry, and avocado. The state has been recognized globally for its sustainable and progressive horticulture methods.
Currently, around 2.36 lakh hectares are dedicated to horticulture, producing 638,000 metric tonnes of fruits and contributing approximately $537.12 million annually to the state's income. This sector is a significant employment source, supporting around 10 lakh individuals directly or indirectly. Over the last two years, the government has launched various programs to enhance fruit production and strengthen the sector's economy. Notable achievements include producing 25,829 metric tons of mushrooms, 4,081 metric tons of honey, and cultivating 659 hectares of flowers. These initiatives have opened new markets and revenue streams for farmers, further stabilizing their income.
To expand horticulture, an additional 8,085 hectares have been brought under fruit cultivation. The government has also focused on nursery efforts, producing 25.12 lakh fruit plants and distributing over 27.64 lakh plants to horticulturists, thereby improving quality and output. Significant efforts in pest and disease control have been made, with a subsidy of $1.64 million on plant protection medicines, making 288.55 MT/kg of such materials available to fruit growers. Moreover, 1,195 hectares of horticultural land benefit from biological pest control, with about 542 horticulturists receiving training in these methods.
Source: Millennium Post