Himachal witnesses record apple production

Shimla, Oct 12 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh has witnessed record apple production this year, as per the data given by the State's Horticulture Department.

As per the preliminary data, apple production was expected at 27.5 million boxes but this year the production has reached a record level of 37.5 million boxes to 40 million boxes.

"Till today, the maximum production of apple has been valued at 2.75 crore. And now as the season of apple is about to be over and the work of apple growing is in full swing in the hills. This time the production is valued between Rs.3.75 crore to Rs. 4 crore. So it is very clear from this figure that all the records of apple production till date have been broken this time," said Narender Bragta, the State's Horticulture Minister.

"Though the harvest is still continuing, 670,000 tonnes of crop have already been yielded, a huge jump from last years 350,000 tonnes," he added.

According to farmers, despite hailstorms, heavy rains and bad climatic conditions, all records of apple production have been broken this year.

"This year the production of apple is very good. There has been an overproduction," said Ramesh Sharma, an apple grower.

Apple is Himachal Pradesh's main crop and is being grown in nine out of 12 districts.

The area under the apple crop has increased to 97,438 hectares in 2008-09 from 400 hectares in 1950-51. (ANI)