Shimla: The HPMC board on Thursday approved projects worth Rs 9.9 crore, including Rs 1.7 crore for modernisation of food processing plants and Rs 8.2 crore for an Apple Schnapps plant at Parala in Shimla district.The decisions were taken at a board meeting chaired by horticulture minister Jagat Singh Negi. The board said modernisation would improve processing efficiency, product quality and value addition while strengthening HPMC’s branding and marketing.It also approved a policy to open HPMC kiosks outside Himachal Pradesh to expand its consumer base and market presence. The board reviewed reforms under the Market Intervention Scheme, including digitisation of farmer records through the HPMIM portal and app to improve transparency and facilitate direct benefit transfer.The board also discussed monetising idle HPMC assets through public-private partnerships in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Negi stressed value addition and wider market access for fruit growers.
