The government of Himachal Pradesh has decided to setup a committee that would work towards exploring the possibilities of setting up fruit based industries in the state. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal during the two day national seminar on “Hills Horticulture – Challenges and Opportunities”, organized by the Department of Horticulture in association with NABARD. 
The chief minister announced setting up of Rs 100 crore modern marketing yard at Parala, near Theog and another at Karluhi in Una. The marketing yards would help strengthen business by attracting buyers from within the state and outside the country.
During the seminar Mr. Dhumal also stated that the state government has formulated a plan to interlink the fruit producing villages which are devoid of roads through ropeways for smooth haulage. The hail prone areas would also be benefited by the installation of more anti hail guns which have turned out to be success in areas where they have been implemented as an experiment. He also focused on promoting new fruit varieties which would meet the challenge of climate change and global warming.
Horticulture minister Mr. Narender Bragta said that the government has forwarded a Rs 256 crore project to the Indian government for the installation of anti hail guns to save the fruit crops. A weather based crop insurance scheme has been implemented in about 27 developmental blocks for mango and apple crops.
