&w=3840&q=100)
Urgent need for processing units as cherry harvesting picks up in Himachal
As cherry harvesting is in full swing, horticulturists as well as farmers in upper Shimla region see an urgent need for fruit processing units at village level to protect the crops from the impact of unpredictable weather conditions.
Cherry growers are getting good prices for their crops ranging between Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 per box (each weighing between 400 and 650 grams). However, they often have to struggle with logistics issues while sending the crops to the markets due to sudden change in weather conditions.
According to experts, setting up small-scale processing units at local level will help farmers in getting their crops processed quickly.
Cherry is considered a high-value fruit crop in Himachal Pradesh in the months of April and May but due to short shelf life, timely transportation of produce to the market becomes important.
At present, about 500 hectares of land in Himachal Pradesh are under Cherry cultivation which adds up to Rs 200 crore to the state's economy.
Cherries are perished quickly if not stored after harvesting, and the crops have to be transported to the market at the earliest to fetch remunerative prices, says Sanjay Chauhan, subject expert in the Horticulture Department.
Farmers should ensure proper grading and harvest when the fruit is fully ripe, he added.
The cherry harvest is at its peak but frequent weather disruptions lead to delay in transportation. At least, proper storage will help farmers in takcling weather-related challenges, said Bihari Sayogi, President of the Farmers and Orchardists' Union.
"We urge the government to install small-scale processing plants in rural areas so that produce can be preserved and processed locally," he added.
The harvesting has started two weeks back, but erratic weather conditions are affecting the quality of the crop, said Chunni Lal, a cherry grower.
Cherry needs quick processing, for which establishing local processing units becomes essential, said Vivek Kapoor, another grower from Bhattyi Kotgarh.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Absence of devotees at Sangam impacting livelihood of boatmen
Prayagraj: The ongoing summer and sultry weather conditions seem to have left their impact on the turnout of the pilgrims and devotees at Sangam as the banks of Ganga are witnessing a thin attendance of devotees and pilgrims from all across the country, impacting the livelihood of boatmen. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Although the boatmen claim to have earned hefty profits during Maha Kumbh, they are now finding few takers. President of Prayagraj Navik Sangh, Pappu Nishad, told TOI, "The ongoing summer season has hit the turnout as there is limited attendance of devotees and pilgrims flocking to Sangam and hiring boats to take holy dips and perform rituals. In the current scenario, a limited section of devotees travelling to Sangam are from Varanasi or Ayodhya. Those arriving in Varanasi or Ayodhya to seek blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Ram often plan their tours to Sangam in Prayagraj to take holy dips and perform rituals. " However, the strength of such devotees is very limited and directly impacting the income of boatmen. In the current scenario, a boatman is charging Rs 50 for a devotee to ferry a pilgrim from Quila Ghat to Sangam, and the rate from other ghats to Sangam is more or less. Shantanu, a boatman, told TOI, "Around 75% of all around 1,500 boatmen in and around Prayagraj earn their livelihoods by catering to the pilgrims at the limited attendance of visitors who arrive at Sangam to take holy dips, boatmen are fighting to earn big earnings. The strength of devotees has declined since the temperature crossed 42 degrees Celsius." Rakesh, another boatman, asserted, "We are hardly able to manage better earnings by catering to the few visitors who arrive either to take holy dips or to immerse the mortal remains." A section of boatmen who were earlier engaged in ferrying pilgrims during the season are planning to do some other work to earn a livelihood.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Monsoon looms, but river bank strengthening still drags
Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has adopted a bioengineering method — rarely used on such a large scale in India — to stabilise the dredged banks of the Vishwamitri river. However, the initiative, launched with much delay, is progressing slowly, raising concerns that monsoon is already knocking on the doors. It is feared that downpours and turbulent river flow could lead to soil erosion and sediment re-entering the riverbed. VMC had first trialled the technique in April and formally engaged an agency in May to implement the method over an area of 1.34 lakh square metres at a cost of Rs 4.9 crore in the first phase. More work may be taken up if required. However, intermittent pre-monsoon showers and an early monsoon forecast have heightened the urgency of the project. Despite the potential of the technique, its delayed implementation is a cause for concern. As of Monday, only 2.3 km of riverbank had been covered, whereas the Vishwamitri stretches 24.7 km within the city limits. The civic body still lacks a clear plan for the total area requiring stabilisation, sources said. Experts believe the work should have been carried out in parallel with the dredging and resectioning of the river. "Stabilisation using artificial methods should have been initiated immediately after dredging was completed. Now, there's a risk of soil erosion and sediment washing back into the river," one expert warned. VMC standing committee chairman Sheetal Mistry acknowledged the delay, citing limited availability of specialised agencies and materials as contributing factors. "Not all stretches require stabilisation as there are areas with intact structures or undisturbed greenery," he added. A VMC official admitted that erosion from rain cannot be completely ruled out, but insisted it would be minimal. Experts have recommended prioritising critical locations, particularly areas with steep slopes or those historically prone to erosion. "Not every section of the riverbank requires reinforcement. Some segments experience erosion while others are zones of deposition," said an expert.
News18
12 hours ago
- News18
Mizoram Board HSLC, HSSLC Compartment Exam 2025 Postponed To June 12 Amid Heavy Rain
Last Updated: Mizoram Board Compartment Exam 2025: The HSSLC and HSLC compartment exams have been postponed to June 12 due to heavy rain. Mizoram Board Compartment Exam 2025: The Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE) has postponed the HSSLC and HSLC compartment and improvement exams 2025 to June 12, following continuous heavy rainfall across the state. Along with the rescheduling of exams, the board has also postponed the Centre Superintendents' meeting to June 10 at 11 am. Due to severe weather conditions, including landslides, mudslides, and rockfalls, schools in Aizawl, the state capital, have remained shut. Educational institutions were closed on May 29, May 30, and June 2, and remain closed today as well. 'Due to incessant rains and natural calamities across the state, it is hereby notified for the information of all concerned that the meeting of the Centre Superintendents and the conduct of HSSLC (Compartmental & Improvement) Examinations, 2025 are rescheduled," the official notice from MBSE stated. Earlier this year, the MBSE Class 12 board exams were conducted from February 14 to March 17, with vocational subject exams held on February 27. The Class 12 results were declared on May 6. The MBSE Class 10 exams were conducted from February 10 to March 13, and the results were announced on April 29. The last date to submit the application form for the HSSLC compartment or improvement exam was May 20. Forms submitted after the deadline were accepted with a late fee of Rs 250. Except for the Saitual district, all district administrations announced the closure of schools as a precautionary measure to protect students from potential hazards caused by the relentless rain. In a notification, Aizawl Deputy Commissioner and District Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lalhriatpuia advised all schools in the Aizawl district to suspend student attendance on June 3 to ensure the safety and well-being of children. On Tuesday morning, the state capital Aizawl recorded heavy rainfall once again. Previously, schools statewide had been closed on May 29, May 30, and June 2 due to similar weather conditions.
