Having earned the fame as “Apple State”, Himachal Pradesh is poised to claim the distinction of being a fruit state not only in the country but worldwide. This has been brought within the realms of possibility due to the concerted efforts made by the state government, especially in the last two years by give horticulture a push by offering incentives and subsidy to the fruit growers to raise production.

Unprecedented progress has been made in the field of horticulture. The progressive farmers of the State are now cultivating a wide variety of fruits. The total area under fruit production, which was only 792 hectares in 1950, has now increased to 2.01 lakh hectares and fruit production has increased from 1200 metric tons in 1950 to 6.28 lakh MT. There has been substantial progress in the production of off-season vegetables, hops, floriculture and medicinal plants.

For the first time, all horticulture-related operations have been included in the "Specialized Category of Activities" under the new Industrial Policy of the State. More than 586 MT plant protection material has been provided to farmers who have been given subsidy worth Rs 6.14 crore. One herbal garden each has been established in government and private sector, besides one tissue culture laboratory.

Determined to give the drive to boost fruit production added thrust, the state government enhanced the procurement price of apple, citrus fruits and mango under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). The support price of apple has been fixed at Rs 5.25 per kg, and that of grafted mango and seedling mango, increased to Rs 5.25 and Rs 4.58 per kg, respectively. The procurement price of B & C grade kinnow, malta and orange has been fixed at Rs 5.85 and Rs 5.25 per kg, respectively, whereas that of galgal pegged at Rs 4.15 per kg.

Apple and mango crops in some areas have been brought within the ambit of the Crop Insurance Scheme on pilot basis. While Theog, Jubbal, Narkanda, Rohru and Chirgaon blocks of Shimla district and Ani block of Kullu district have been selected for apple crop, Fetapur, Nurpur, Indora and Nagrota Surian blocks of Kangra District have been chosen for mango crop for extending the insurance cover.

The government has given a big boost to floriculture. More than 2,800 farmers are engaged in floriculture and are earning Rs 27.33 crore from this activity. Organic farming is being encouraged under the National Agriculture Development Scheme by setting up 40 organic farming units and 20 water tanks. About 200 mushroom production units have been established to give boost to mushroom cultivation.

Besides, pre and post-harvesting material and insecticides worth Rs 13 crore have been provided by the HPMC to the growers. As many as 363 manually operated, 892 power-operated and 11 power tillers have been provided at subsidized rates to horticulturists.

With a view to giving boost to protective cultivation of horticultural crops, 17,000 sq m low-investment and 26,000 square meter high-investment green houses have been constructed under the National Agriculture Development Scheme. About 550 hectares of additional area has been brought under horticulture activities by spending Rs 7,171 lakh under Horticulture Technology Mission. As many as 1,396 manual, 1,644 power-operated equipment and 106 diesel engines had been provide at subsidized rate to horticulturists under Horticulture Technology Mission.