New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) Adani Agri Fresh Limited (AAFL) announced on Wednesday that it has increased the price of apples it is procuring from farmers of Himachal Pradesh by 12.5 per cent to Rs 90 per kg for the large-medium-small (LMS) grade of top-quality fruit this year from Rs 80 last year.

"AAFL is committed to the betterment of apple farmers in the state, and the step has been taken to ensure that they get the best price for their crop," an Adani Group spokesman said

AAFL procures apples in Himachal Pradesh from Rohru, Rampur, Tutu-Pani, Sainj, Jarol-Tikkar and Reckong-Peo sites, he said.

The company’s procurement network extends across more than 17,000 growers in Himachal Pradesh, comprising over 90 per cent small and marginal farmers for sourcing apples from orchards that cover 700 villages.

Last month, in a landmark initiative for the horticulture sector, Adani Agri Fresh launched the country’s first digital apple market platform in Bithal near Rampur, about 120 km from Shimla. The project is designed to directly benefit apple growers across Himachal Pradesh.

Currently being implemented as a pilot project, farmers are already expressing strong support for the project’s transparency, convenience, and profitability.

The platform enables farmers to digitally participate in transparent auctions, avoid middlemen, and ensure assured payment.

The apples are graded, packed, and marketed under the Adani brand, ensuring uniform quality and higher bargaining power for growers.

This digital platform is beneficial for both buyers and growers. Bidding can be done from anywhere.

Adani Agri Fresh Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, part of Adani Group, which is one of India's leading business houses.

With 'Farm-Pik', AAFL emerged as the first company to engage in organised apple purchase, storage and marketing by following the construction of state-of-the-art controlled atmospheric storage in the apple belt of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh in 2006.

The set-up includes state-of-the-art controlled atmosphere facilities of 22,400 MT capacity in the apple growing belts of Shimla district in Bithal (near Rampur), Sainj (near Theog) and Mehandli (Rohru).

The company’s distribution network comprises 76 wholesale and 1,500 retailers pan-India, in addition to the modern retail format.

--IANS

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