Shimla, Mar 31 (PTI) In order to compete with apples from countries like the US and New Zealand, Himachal must improve the quality of its own produce, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said on Tuesday.

Responding to a discussion in the state assembly on a resolution introduced by Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore during the Private Members' Business session, he said rootstocks procured at a cost of Rs 130 crore by the previous BJP government for establishing high-density plantations in the state turned out to be a monumental failure.

This resolution urges the central government to formulate a policy aimed at safeguarding the economic interests of the state's apple growers amid the free trade agreements (FTAs) being pursued with the European Union, the United States, New Zealand, and other nations. The government subsequently accepted this resolution.

Asserting that the central government has imposed the FTA upon Himachal, Negi said that now the Centre is preparing to enter into a free trade agreement with the US, which could prove to be unfortunate for the state.

Acknowledging that Himachal's apples are currently not yet capable of competing with those from New Zealand and the US, he said the state lags significantly behind these nations in terms of quality.

He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an election rally in Hamirpur, had pledged to raise the import duty on apples to 100 per cent. However, this duty has since been reduced to 25 per cent.

He also accused the central government of prioritising the interests of other nations under the guise of free trade agreements.

Earlier, while moving his private resolution, Rathore remarked that two hundred thousand families in Himachal Pradesh depend on apple cultivation for their livelihood. Moreover, a large number of people from other states are also associated with this sector.

He said that the agreement recently concluded with the US regarding Apple is being hailed as a diplomatic triumph. However, for the orchardists of Himachal Pradesh, this situation is poised to become disastrous.

Under this agreement, the import duty on apples is being reduced from 50 per cent to zero. When this agreement was being negotiated, states like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, which are directly impacted, should have been given the opportunity to present their views.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur, MLAs Anil Sharma, Balvir Verma, Mohan Lal Brakta, Janak Raj, and Harish Janartha also participated in the discussion on the resolution. PTI BPL BAL BAL

Free trade agreements and apple imports raise concerns over Himachal orchardists' economic interests and market competitiveness. Himachal Pradesh's apple sector was discussed in the context of free trade agreements with the European Union, the United States, New Zealand and other countries, with concern that lower import duties on apples could affect the economic interests of local growers. A private resolution urged the central government to frame a policy to safeguard orchardists, and the government accepted the resolution. The debate also noted that Himachal apples must improve in quality to compete with imports and that the state lags behind those markets in quality standards.