Himachal apple growers are an obviously satisfied lot. “The direct buying by the corporate sector and wholesale traders helped in stabilisation of the markets.That’s what the apple growers require for long-term returns,” says Lekh Raj Chauhan, president, Himachal Fruits and Vegetable Growers body.

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Excessive rains this year coupled with a series of landslides have been a serious impediment in marketing their produce. Rohit Thakur, a former Congress MLA, holds the government responsible for not keeping the link roads open. “First, there was a shortage of trucks and then blockades. Suddenly, when the roads opened, the market got flooded with apple and the prices crashed,” he says.

Heavy rains also had other side-affects. This was the first time when apple scab —a disease caused by trapping of excessive water, which had taken a heavy toll on the apple crop in the early 80s — reappeared in some of the apple-growing areas. Fortunately, the Horticulture Department and the growers took precautionary steps to save the crop from being wiped out completely.

The growers also bore the brunt of higher input costs, with fungicide prices being 60 to 70 per cent higher and the the apple cartons and trays costing Rs 20 to 25 more than earlier seasons.

Meanwhile, Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta said, “Setting up fruit-processing units and cold storage facilities will be the government’s priority. The growers should get sale-points at the orchard gates,” said Bragta.