Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the state horticulture department to implement direct benefit transfer (DBT) for apple procurement under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). The move aims to ensure that farmers receive payments directly into their bank accounts, bypassing intermediaries and reducing delays.
Ensuring Timely Payments to Farmers
The CM emphasized that the DBT mechanism would bring transparency and efficiency to the procurement process. He instructed officials to complete the registration of apple growers and update their bank details in the state's horticulture database. The government has set a target to cover all eligible farmers under the scheme for the upcoming apple season.
Eliminating Middlemen
Sukhu stated that the traditional system often led to deductions and delays by agents, which adversely affected small and marginal farmers. By adopting DBT, the government aims to eliminate these middlemen and ensure that farmers get the full benefit of the support price. The state has allocated funds for the MIS and will release payments directly to farmers' accounts within a specified timeframe.
The CM also reviewed the progress of the Apple Rejuvenation Project, which aims to replace old and unproductive apple trees with high-density varieties. He urged farmers to adopt modern horticulture practices to increase productivity and income. The government is providing subsidies and technical support to farmers under this project.
Additionally, Sukhu announced plans to establish cold storage facilities and processing units in major apple-producing areas to reduce post-harvest losses. He said the state is working on a comprehensive policy to boost the horticulture sector, which is a key driver of the state's economy.
The opposition has criticized the government for delays in implementing previous schemes, but the CM assured that the DBT system would be operational before the start of the apple procurement season. He also directed officials to conduct awareness campaigns to educate farmers about the new process.
