📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / UnpetitproleX
Agriculture
Himachal Apple Output Plummets, Minister Jagat Singh Negi Blames BJP
✍️ ANI News
🗓 09 Oct 2026, 07:36 PM
👁 12
Apple production in Himachal Pradesh has dropped sharply, prompting state minister Jagat Singh Negi to accuse the BJP of misleading orchardists over payment discrepancies.
The latest agricultural data shows a steep decline in apple yields across Himachal Pradesh, a state that supplies a significant share of India's fresh apples. Experts attribute the fall to a combination of adverse weather conditions, pest infestations, and delayed market payments to growers.
State Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who oversees horticulture, said the downturn has hit orchardists hard and alleged that the ruling BJP government misled them about the timing and amount of subsidies and reimbursements. He claimed that many farmers received lower payments than promised, exacerbating financial stress during the low‑yield season.
The minister called for an urgent review of the payment mechanisms and urged the central and state authorities to expedite relief measures. Agricultural officials are monitoring the situation closely, warning that continued shortfalls could affect both domestic supply and export volumes.
The apple sector, a key source of income for thousands of families in the hills, now faces uncertainty as growers await clarification on the alleged mispayments and seek support to stabilize production for the upcoming harvest.
State Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who oversees horticulture, said the downturn has hit orchardists hard and alleged that the ruling BJP government misled them about the timing and amount of subsidies and reimbursements. He claimed that many farmers received lower payments than promised, exacerbating financial stress during the low‑yield season.
The minister called for an urgent review of the payment mechanisms and urged the central and state authorities to expedite relief measures. Agricultural officials are monitoring the situation closely, warning that continued shortfalls could affect both domestic supply and export volumes.
The apple sector, a key source of income for thousands of families in the hills, now faces uncertainty as growers await clarification on the alleged mispayments and seek support to stabilize production for the upcoming harvest.