Uttarakhand launches Apple Festival 3.0 to expand markets and raise hill farmers’ incomes

Uttarakhand has renewed efforts to connect hill farmers and horticulturists with wider markets through Apple Festival 3.0, inaugurated in Dehradun by Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan. The NABARD-organised event showcased apples, kiwi, vegetables and other agricultural products from farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) across the state.

The festival focused on improving returns for small and marginal farmers by strengthening the systems that connect production with purchasing, storage, branding and sales. Vardhan said FPOs must become strong, self-reliant institutions rather than remaining limited to bringing farmers together on a common platform.

Stronger FPOs at the centre of the plan

According to the Chief Secretary, FPOs need continuous training, technical guidance, capacity building and essential facilities to serve farmers over the long term. Stronger organisations can help farmers collectively purchase inputs, sell produce and reach markets more effectively.

This collective approach could also improve farmers’ chances of receiving fair prices. Vardhan said the state’s agricultural and horticultural products should not remain confined to local markets, and called for a practical strategy to connect them with broader markets and better prices.

He directed officials to give particular attention to procurement, marketing and branding. Uttarakhand’s local products have a distinct identity, he said, but quality control, packaging, branding and marketing systems must improve if those products are to compete in larger markets.

Cold storage and timely sales

Storage remains a major challenge for fruit and vegetable growers. Vardhan stressed the need to strengthen the cold-storage network, noting that insufficient facilities can force farmers to sell quickly, sometimes before they receive the price they expect.

The proposed focus is not limited to safe storage. Farmers also need systems that allow them to hold produce and sell it when market conditions are more favourable. The available information does not specify a new cold-storage project or a construction timeline.

Traceability and organic certification

Vardhan also called for a traceability system for agricultural products. Such a system would record where produce was grown, which farmer or FPO supplied it and information about its quality.

He further directed officials to promote organic certification. The aim is to give Uttarakhand’s organic products a clearer identity in the market and create the possibility of better prices for farmers. The event did not provide details of a specific certification target or deadline.

Coordination between NABARD and the government

The Chief Secretary said closer coordination between NABARD and state government schemes would be important for building stronger FPOs. Government departments, NABARD, FPOs, farmers and other stakeholders would need to work together.

He called for available schemes and resources to be connected more effectively so that their benefits reach farmers on the ground. A stronger FPO ecosystem, he said, could provide farmers with a more integrated platform from production through to market access.

Vardhan said Uttarakhand has significant potential in agriculture and horticulture. Apples, kiwi, vegetables and other local products could support higher farm incomes when linked with improved markets, branding and storage. He stressed that the goal should extend beyond increasing production to securing better value and stable markets for farmers.

Products displayed at the festival

Different FPOs displayed several apple varieties, kiwi, vegetables and other farm products at Apple Festival 3.0. Vardhan visited the stalls and spoke with farmers and FPO representatives about product quality, production and market-related challenges.

Secretary Dr. S.N. Pandey, NABARD Chief General Manager Pankaj Yadav, General Manager Shashi Kumar and other senior NABARD officials attended the programme.

Conclusion

Apple Festival 3.0 placed stronger FPOs, better storage, traceability, organic certification, branding and government-NABARD coordination at the centre of Uttarakhand’s effort to improve market access and returns for hill farmers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Apple Festival 3.0?

Apple Festival 3.0 is a NABARD-organised event in Dehradun showcasing apples, kiwi, vegetables and other agricultural products from Uttarakhand’s farmer-producer organisations.

Q. Who inaugurated the festival?

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan inaugurated the festival.

Q. What role should FPOs play?

FPOs should develop into strong, self-reliant institutions that support farmers beyond simply bringing them together.

Q. Why is cold storage important for farmers?

Insufficient storage can force farmers to sell produce quickly, reducing their chances of receiving the expected price.

Q. What would product traceability record?

Traceability could show where a product was grown, which farmer or FPO supplied it and information about its quality.

Q. Why is organic certification being promoted?

Organic certification could give Uttarakhand’s organic products a distinct market identity and help create the possibility of better prices.

Q. Which organisations need to coordinate more closely?

NABARD, the state government, departments, FPOs, farmers and other stakeholders need to work together to strengthen the system.