HP to adopt New Zealand's apple processing system

Shimla, Aug 5 (UNI) The Himachal pradesh Governement is exploring possibilities to adopt apple processing system popular in New Zealand.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who held a meeting with Trade Commissioner, Paul Vaughan, of New Zealand High Commission, here yesterday said that the state government would explore the possibilities of entering into joint venture with New Zealand in public-private participation for setting up apple processing plants in the apple growing areas of the state.

In the meeting, the New Zealand team headed by Paul Vaughan, gave the presentation of a packaging and processing machine and said that the machine would be capable of processing 1.5 tonnes of apple per hour and carry colour sorting, density grading, blemish sorting, single, dual and multi lane sorting, volume of loose filling, bagging etc. simultaneously. He said that it had the capacity to sort out the rotten stuff as well.

Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta said the departmental officers would be studying the proposal of the New Zealand and take further action accordingly.

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