Amazon to acquire apple, stone fruits, veggies in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh Economy

Amazon has joined the list of private players involved in the procurement of apple, stone fruits and vegetables in the state.
Amazon has opened its first collection centre in Balag. It has come to the state for the first time and its entry will help farmers and growers get good prices.
Big companies like Amazon, Reliance and Big Basket have their own retail chain. When these companies lift produce from regular market, it helps farmers and growers get good prices.
The APMC has made all preparations for the smooth marketing of apple this season, and the mandis across the state would be made online within a month.
The software is ready and the IT Department will give the final go-ahead. Once the facility becomes operational, farmers will know the rates prevailing in different mandis at one click. Also, traders will be able to apply for licence online.
The work on strengthening the network of mandis and building a controlled atmosphere (CA) store and cold chain points was on at a war footing.
The SIT formed to help the growers recover their money from traders has recovered Rs 18 crore out of Rs 35 crore. Also, Rs 25 crore has been earmarked to build small roads/paths to help farmers get their produce to the main road.