The 213th Meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) of H.P. Horticultural Produce Marketing & Processing Corporation (HPMC) was held here today under the Chairmanship of Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi. The Minister formally launched the new Web Portal of HPMC Ltd. All the services of HPMC such as booking of CA/Cold Stores, Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and sale of horticulture inputs have been made online through the web portal.
Jagat Singh Negi said that HPMC has procured 32454 MT apples to date, under the Market Intervention Scheme 2023. Despite the disaster caused by the heavy rainfall in the State, HPMC has managed to lift the entire quantity of apples procured under the Scheme. HPMC has produced a record 1288 MT Apple Juice Concentrate at its three Fruit Processing Plants at Parala, Parwanoo and Jarol (Mandi) during the current apple season.
He informed that the trial and commissioning of the newly established HPMC fruit processing plant Parala was successfully conducted during the current apple season. HPMC will be producing Apple Juice Concentrate, Pectin, Ready to Serve Juices and Drinks, fruit wines and apple cider vinegar at the facility. HPMC has recorded the highest turnover of Rs. 120 Crore during the last financial year 2022-23.
The rates of Apple Juice Concentrate produced during the current apple season were also decided during the meeting. HPMC has decided to change the packaging designs of all the HPMC products in a phased manner. The BoD decided to provide a wide range of best quality horticulture inputs to apple growers at reasonable prices. HPMC has also decided to provide only universal cartons to the apple growers during the next apple season and discontinue the sales of telescopic cartons.
It was decided to continue the apple trading activities in APMC Market Yards Parala, Solan and Parwanoo during the next year. It was decided to sell its products through online platforms and a policy in this regard was approved during the meeting. HPMC has rolled out its distribution policy to provide impetus to the sales of its products through multiple channels.
The Minister urged the HPMC officials to strengthen the corporation by ensuring optimum utilization of resources such as the properties situated outside the State and by streamlining the functioning and increasing efficiency of all the business activities in the best interest of the farmers. He also emphasized on new and sustainable business ventures to provide financial stability to the Corporation.
Secretary Horticulture C. Paulrasu, Director Horticulture Sandeep Kadam, Managing Director HPMC Sudesh Kumar Mokhta and Managing Director HP Agro Industries Corporation Reema Kashyap and other senior officers of HPMC were also present during the meeting.