Himachal Pradesh’s apple growers are demanding a higher support price as the state’s crop faces one of its worst seasons in years. Production is expected to fall about 40 per cent to 4.36 lakh tonnes this year.

Growers want the Market Intervention Scheme price raised from Rs 12 to at least Rs 20 per kg. Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore led a group of lawmakers in submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister, citing rising costs of labour, fertilisers and pesticides.

Erratic weather is behind the slump. Poor winter snowfall, unseasonal spring rain and hailstorms hit orchards across eight districts. In the first week of September, only 51 lakh boxes reached markets, down 45.5 per cent from last year.

Monsoon damage in the state has crossed Rs 1,550 crore, adding to the growers’ pain. Farmers also fear cheaper imports once the India-New Zealand trade deal takes effect next month. The government has not yet responded to the price demand.