8 ropeways launched in Shimla, Kinnaur for farm produce

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 28

The Himachal Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board (HPSAMB) has launched eight aerial ropeways worth Rs 40.50 lakh in Shimla and Kinnaur in the last two-and-a-half years to transport farmers produce and constructed three collection centres at Delath, Janedhat and Throla where market facilities were not available.

According to an official release, the board is providing various facilities to farmers through 10 Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and more than 56 regulated markets setup at different strategic places in the state.

To cater to the needs of farmers, 56 markets have been constructed out of which eight marketing yards worth Rs 30.42 crore have been set up during last two-and-a-half years. The work on four other markets was in progress, the release added.

To save farmers from such losses, 27 fruit and vegetable collection centres have been established at the cost of Rs 1.17 crore during the past two-and-a-half years.

Consistent efforts are being made by the board to identify proper places for setting up collection centres at different areas. At present, four collection centres at Shimla district, three in Kangra, two each in Solan and Sirmour, four in Una, one in Chamba, three each in Mandi and Hamirpur, four in Bilaspur and one in Kullu district have been established.

The APMC of Shimla and Kinnaur have installed six aerial ropeways in the far- flung areas to transport the agricultural produce commodities as road connectivity remains difficult. As many as 1,400 farmers have been trained through awareness camps.

Experts from different departments are also being invited at farmers training camps to provide latest knowledge on marketing as well as pre and post-harvesting techniques.