Current Context : Worl Bank’s Horticulture development project in Himachal Pradesh to improve apple production.

• The state government will seek one more World Bank-aided project (HDP 2.0) on the lines of Horticulture Development Project (HDP) which is ending this month.
• This project of worth Rs 1,000 crore was approved in 2016 for temperate fruits, mainly apple and the stone fruits.

ABOUT HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

• Horticulture Development Project is a project aided by World Bank.
• Objective : building mandis, enhancing cold storage facilities and importing quality planting material for the horticulturalists in the state.

ABOUT HDP 2.0.

• Major focus of this project will be on leveraging technology for enhancing production and productivity of the fruits.
• Focus will also be on organic farming and water-efficient farming and facilitating the transition from the traditional apple planation to high density plantation.