CM Sukhu: 8,000 MT apples bought under HP market scheme
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says over 8,000 MT of apples have been procured under the Mandi Intervention Scheme, with 17,000-plus orchardists registered on the HPMIS digital portal across 213 collection centres as the season runs to 31 October 2026.
Key Takeaways
Over 8,000 metric tonnes of apples purchased under the Mandi Intervention Scheme (MIS) so far this season.
More than 17,000 horticulturists have registered on the HPMIS portal ; the season runs 1 August – 31 October 2026 .
213 collection centres operated by HPMC and Himfed are active across Himachal Pradesh.
The entire procurement process — registration, payment, transport — is digitised on a single platform available on Android and iOS.
Apples make up roughly 80 percent of HP's fruit output; the state contributes 22 percent of India's national apple production.
Shimla leads with ~ 55 percent of state apple output, followed by Kullu, Kinnaur, and Mandi.
More than 8,000 metric tonnes of apples have already been procured under Himachal Pradesh's Mandi Intervention Scheme (MIS) this season — and the window is still open. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu shared the update on Thursday, 24 September 2026, detailing how the state's digital procurement drive is reaching orchardists across the hill districts.
17,000-plus growers registered, 213 collection centres active
Over 17,000 horticulturists have registered on the HPMIS portal since the procurement season opened on 1 August 2026. The buying window runs through 31 October 2026, with state agencies HPMC (Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation) and Himfed operating 213 collection centres across the state. CM Sukhu underlined that the entire chain — registration, purchase, digital receipt, transport, processing, monitoring, and payment — flows through a single integrated system.
The HPMIS app is available on both Android and iOS. A grower registers only once; no repeat registration is required in future seasons. Those without smartphones can enrol through Common Service Centres (CSCs), Lok Mitra Kendras, or gram panchayats. Shimla alone hosts 681 Lok Mitra Kendras to assist farmers.
Why apples are everything for Himachal's rural economy
The numbers explain why the government treats apple procurement as a priority intervention. Apples account for roughly 80 percent of the state's total fruit production and about 50 percent of the total area under fruit crops. Himachal Pradesh is India's second-largest apple-producing state, contributing around 22 percent of national output and covering 37 percent of the country's apple-growing area.
Shimla district alone produces roughly 55 percent of the state's apples, followed by Kullu, Kinnaur, and Mandi. For hill farming families in these districts, orchard income is not a supplement — it is the mainstay. Price crashes during peak harvest can wipe out an entire year's earnings, which is precisely the risk the MIS is designed to absorb.
One portal, one season, a decade's worth of friction removed
Himachal has run market intervention rounds for apples over multiple years, but the full end-to-end digitisation through HPMIS marks a structural shift. Previously, leakages in procurement chains — delayed payments, manual record-keeping, opaque transport billing — eroded grower benefits. Routing every transaction through one auditable platform is the government's answer to that problem. The CM's post signals confidence that adoption is ahead of expectations, with 17,000-plus registrations already logged weeks before the season closes.
Whether payment timelines hold once the 31 October deadline passes will be the real test — and the metric orchardists are watching most closely.
Point of View
Paper-heavy procurement drives to a continuously auditable digital system. For the Sukhu government, high registration numbers ahead of season's end offer a political dividend in a state where orchard incomes determine rural sentiment. The broader policy arc here is about whether digital procurement infrastructure can consistently translate into on-time farmer payments, which remains the weakest link in past intervention rounds. If payment timelines hold post-October, the HPMIS model could become a template for other hill-state horticulture schemes.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mandi Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apples in Himachal Pradesh?
The Mandi Intervention Scheme is a state government initiative that procures apples directly from orchardists at designated collection centres when market prices fall, providing price support and ensuring farmers receive fair returns. In 2026, the scheme runs from 1 August to 31 October.
How do apple growers register on the HPMIS portal?
Growers can register on the HPMIS portal themselves via the Android or iOS app, or get help at Common Service Centres, Lok Mitra Kendras, or gram panchayats. Registration is a one-time process; re-registration will not be needed in subsequent years.
How many apple collection centres are operating under the MIS in 2026?
A total of 213 collection centres are active across Himachal Pradesh, operated jointly by HPMC and Himfed, where orchardists can bring their produce for purchase under the scheme.
What is Himachal Pradesh's share in India's apple production?
Himachal Pradesh is India's second-largest apple-producing state, contributing approximately 22 percent of national apple output and covering about 37 percent of the country's total apple-growing area.
Which districts in Himachal Pradesh produce the most apples?
Shimla leads with roughly 55 percent of the state's total apple production, followed by Kullu, Kinnaur, and Mandi as the other major apple-growing districts.
