Belgian apple varieties grown in Purola for 1st time hits market early, raises hopes for horticulture push | Dehradun News
Uttarkashi: The first batch of premium apples cultivated using modern techniques in Khaladi village of Purola block in Uttarkashi district has reached Azad Market in Delhi months ahead of the traditional harvest season. The early arrival — in June-July instead of the usual Sept-Oct — is being seen as a breakthrough for modern horticulture in Uttarakhand and a potential boost for local employment opportunities.The initiative is being developed by Uttarakhand-based Venkateshwar Global Agro LLP, which has been managing over 40,000 premium apple saplings in Khaladi since 2023. This year, the company reported a sample harvest of nearly 30 tonnes, with projections of 200 tonnes next year and 350 tonnes in the third year.Company officials said the orchards have apple varieties such as Ziola, Gala-1, Coryphée, Gala SchniCo and Wildfire Gala, saplings of which were sourced from nurseries in Belgium and France and are being grown using scientific methods, and are currently being sold in Delhi at Rs 153 per kg.Company CEO Ajay Singh said the project aims not only to supply saplings but also to increase farmers’ incomes through modern horticulture and help position Uttarakhand as a national horticulture hub. “The first batch of apples have received a positive response from traders and consumers,” he said.In the next phase, the company said it plans to plant 30,000 cherry and 50,000 berry saplings in Uttarakhand, while also introducing advanced varieties of cherry, apricot, green plum and peach available to local farmers. Experts said if the model succeeds, Purola could emerge as a hub for modern horticulture and create additional income opportunities for growers in the region.
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