HPMC to develop its properties in metro cities
Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) will develop its properties in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai on PPP model. The HPMC has cold stores and some land in these metropolitan cities on a long lease. The decision, among others, was taken in the Annual General Meeting of the government undertaking in Shimla a few days back under the chairmanship of Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi. “The development of HPMC land in Kolkata is in advanced stage,” said Negi.
The AGM also decided to prepare plans for full utilization of its seven Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores and 10 Grading and Packing (GP) lines and to explore the utilization of Rajgarh and Patlikuhl properties for tapping agriculture/horticulture tourism potential.
The AGM was apprised that the HPMC would soon start producing apple wine from its newly commissioned fruit processing plant at Parala, in Shimla district, and fruit processing plant, Jarol, at Sundernagar in Mandi district. Further, the HPMC is also launching Ready to Serve (RTS) apple juice from Parala plant.
The Horticulture Minister further said that the HPMC was likely to earn record profit this season owing to the efficient MIS operation in its 200 apple collection centres. “This year the HPMC procured about 25,000 MT through online MIS portal and most of it was processed to produce about 2,000 MT (20 lakh litre) of Apple Juice Concentrate (AJC),” said Negi.
The meeting also decided to send a proposal to the government to rationalise the number of apple collection centres and entrust MIS procurement operations only to the HPMC.
