CHOPAL(SHIMLA)- Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi says the state of art apple plant nursery at Dhurla farm near Maroag will provide the disease-free latest root stocks apple plants to the farmers.
Presiding over a review meeting with sub-divisional officers here today, Negi directed officials from the Revenue Department and Horticulture Department to organize exhibitions at the Panchayat level, showcasing schemes and new apple varieties, in order to benefit the local people and apple growers.
Negi also instructed the Public Works Department to repair roads mainly the Link roads- Dopti- Pabaas Kenchi-Shilgrahan-Lastadhar and others- before the apple season, highlighting the government's commitment to accelerating development in the area.
He said the PWD has been directed to fill the potholes on the roads before rains so that farmers donot face any problem in transporting the fruit to the markets. 
Inspecting the Fruit Progeny and Demonstration Center at Nursery, he emphasized the timely distribution of cuttings of new apple varieties to the public.
Negi visited the Agriculture Farm in Dhurla, where foreign apple saplings were planted on rootstock, benefiting the local community and other Baagwan in Shimla district.
He assured the opening of CA stores and grading packing centers in neighboring panchayats in the upcoming budget.
Negi also inspected Parala Mandi and urged officials to complete the marketing yard, cold store, and food processing plant to benefit the gardeners in the current season.
The meeting was attended by Congress officials, including Rajneesh Kimta, Chandramohan Thakur, Surendra Mohan, Aman Rana, and others.
