By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
In 2007, Netherlands-based Stichting Het Groene Woud (SHGW) and Uttarakhand’s Shri Jagdamba Samiti (SJS) launched an inclusive apple value-addition initiative aimed at supporting small and marginal farmers in Tyuni, Purola, Nogaon, Harshil and Taknor regions of the state. The project sought to generate employment, boost farmer incomes and enhance technical skills among apple growers.
To strengthen the initiative, FFT Himalayan Fresh Produce Pvt. Ltd. (FFTH) was formed as a joint venture between the Himalayan Farmer Development Trust — a federation of small apple growers in Uttarakhand — and Social Inventors, a Dutch family foundation. The company established a state-of-the-art Controlled Atmosphere (CA) cold storage facility with a 12-ton capacity at Nogaon in Uttarkashi district, using Dutch technology to preserve apples for longer periods.
Encouraged by the success of the project, the Uttarakhand government has asked FFTH to expand the Nogaon facility. Under the proposed Rs 10 crore expansion plan, the state government will contribute Rs 4 crore while FFTH will invest the remaining Rs 6 crore. The expansion will increase the storage capacity from 12 tons to 22 tons, said FFTH Director L.P. Semwal.
The government has also planned to establish 19 more CA storage facilities across Uttarakhand to strengthen the apple business in the hill regions. Experts believe such facilities can significantly improve the apple supply chain, create local employment opportunities and help curb migration of youths from the hills to the plains.
Under its Apple Mission, the Uttarakhand government aims to increase apple production nearly tenfold and raise farmers’ incomes by 10 to 15 times through a series of projects covering the entire apple value chain.
“Development of post-harvest infrastructure is essential to ensure farmers get the right price for their produce. The scheme focuses on setting up sorting and grading units, CA stores and ropeways with the participation of entrepreneurs in key apple-growing districts,” Semwal said.