The concerned departments had been directed to ensure that the payment with arrears was disbursed to all fruit growers on a priority basis, Dhumal said while reviewing the functioning of Horticulture department here.
The CM said the Horticulture sector is contributing about Rs 2000 crore per annum to the state gross domestic product and has emerged as the major economic activity in the upper regions of the state, an official release said.
Out of 6.15 lakh hectres of cultivable area about 2 lakh hectres was under fruit cultivation, he added.
Dhumal said Rs 20 crore would be spent under National Horticulture Technology Mission during the current financial year.