New winery in Theog to benefit fruit growers, says CM Sukhu

Shimla: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Thursday that the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) would establish a winery, at an estimated cost of Rs 86 crore, at Parala located in Theog of Shimla district.
Sukhu said the state govt has granted a licence to the HPMC to proceed with the establishment of the winery, which is expected to significantly benefit the fruit growers of the state by providing them with better prices for their produce, particularly apples, peaches and plums.
“The winery at Parala represents a major step forward in value addition to horticultural produce, ensuring not only economic empowerment of the growers, but also enhancing the state’s reputation as a hub for quality fruit-based products,” he said.
While reiterating the state govt’s commitment to enhancing the income of farmers and horticulturists and enabling sustainable growth and development in rural areas of the state, the CM said besides boosting revenue, the winery is expected to create numerous direct and indirect job opportunities.
Himachal Pradesh is known as the “fruit bowl of the country” and the govt is actively promoting the establishment of processing units by leveraging the abundant availability of raw materials within the state, said the CM.