Apple show in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, Sep 5 (ANI): An exhibition of apples was organised at Kotkhai, 60 kilometres off Shimla, to showcase special varieties of the fruit and promote them among the orchard owners and growers.

The exhibition happened to mark the silver jubilee of the annual Apple Show in which 452 farmers exhibited 30 advanced varieties of apples.

According to A.K Relhan, Deputy General Manager (Agriculture), State Bank of India, the objective of this annual event is the growth of farmers' income by familiarising them with progressive methods of growing improved varieties of apples.

"With this goal we have started sponsoring this festival and this is the silver jubilee year of this festival as for last 25 years we have been doing this and every year the participation has been increasing," Relhan added.

On their part, the apple growers who displayed varieties of fruits from their orchards at this show wished such events should be organised in other apple producing states as well so that the entire country is aware of apples of varied good qualities.

"This kind of apple shows, I feel should not just be limited to Himachal Pradesh but should be promoted and organised in all the apple producing states of the country as well. People from all over the country should come and see that what types of apples are being produced in Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir and Uttarakhand," said Ramlal Chauhan, a apple grower.

Himachal has over 200 thousands hectares for fruit groves in which the share of apple is around 48 per cent (94.726 hectare).

The state is also known as the 'Apple Bowl of India'. On an annual average, Himachal state produces 5, 50,000 metric tons of apples.

Apples as cash crops are considered to be the lifeline for the people of Shimla, Kinnaur, Sirmour, Kullu, Chamba and Mandi districts of the state. (ANI)