Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) will be enhancing the capacity of its three Controlled Atmosphere stores. Several of these facilities will be ready for use this season. Apart from this, the HPMC is constructing three new CA stores in Reckong Peo (Kinnaur), Katlog (Mandi) and Rajpura (Chamba).
While private CA stores in Himachal and outside the state charge around Rs 1.35 to Rs 1.50 per kg per month, the HPMC charges Rs 2 per kg per month. An apple grower says that the issue has been raised with the government officials, but talks are still ongoing.
From the current capacity of the three CA stores ranging from 640 to 700 tons, the storage capacity in each of these CA stores will go up to around 2,000 tons.
Source: tribuneindia.com