Apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh want the central government to investigate why there is a drastic fall in apple prices during their peak season.
"It is an economic offence committed by the NGO with the help of certain businessmen." said Laxman Thakur, chairman, Ecohorts, Nandpur, Jubbal valley, a major apple producing area.
"The prices dropped from Rs 1,800 per carton to Rs 1,100 or less. There were no buyers as the NGO had spread rumours that the state’s apple contained carbamide residues. The carbamide is used to ripen mangos and bananas, and not apples," he said.
This raised a hue and cry at a time when importers were bringing wax coated foreign apple from the USA in 5.5m cartons this year, a record quantity to date. The import took place in July-August when the apple season in the state had started, the farmers pointed out.
“The rumour aimed at destroying the apple industry. The state and both Central governments need to answer the questions put up by farmers,” Thakur said.
The per capita consumption of chemicals in the state is less than Europe and the USA, as farmers use herbicides instead of pesticides.
