Cherry harvesting is in full swing in Himachal Pradesh, but what is the problem facing the farmers?:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Cherry Harvesting: In view of the cherry harvesting season in Himachal Pradesh, the gardeners and farmers of the upper region of Shimla say that food processing units should be set up at the village level. This demand is being raised because in bad weather there is difficulty in transporting cherries on time.

Cherry growers are getting good prices for their crop, ranging between Rs 100 and Rs 1,000 per box (each weighing between 400 and 650 grams). However, they often face logistical problems while sending the crop to markets due to sudden change in weather conditions.

Cherry prices are higher in the months of April and May

According to experts, setting up small processing units at the local level will help farmers to get their crops processed quickly. Cherry is considered a high-yield fruit crop in the months of April and May in Himachal Pradesh, but due to its short-lived freshness, it becomes important to deliver the produce to the market on time. Currently, cherry is cultivated on about 500 hectares of land in Himachal Pradesh. It contributes Rs 200 crore to the state's economy.

Sanjay Chauhan, subject expert in the Horticulture Department, said that if cherries are not stored after harvesting, they get spoiled quickly and to get a profitable price, the crop has to be delivered to the market as soon as possible. He said that farmers should ensure proper classification and harvest the fruit only when it is fully ripe.

Delay in transportation due to bad weather

Bihari Sayogi, president of the Farmers and Gardeners Association, said that cherry harvesting is at its peak, but due to frequent bad weather, their transportation is getting delayed. At least proper storage will help farmers deal with weather-related challenges.

He said, "We urge the government to set up small-scale processing plants in rural areas so that the produce can be preserved and processed locally." Cherry grower Chunni Lal said that harvesting started two weeks ago but unpredictable weather conditions are affecting the quality of the crop. Vivek Kapoor, another grower from Bhatti Kotgarh, said that cherries require quick processing, for which it is necessary to set up local processing units.