The barter system may have gone out of vogue long back, but government agencies such as the HPMC and HIMFED are keeping the old method of exchange alive in Himachal Pradesh.
In lieu of the full or partial payment for C grade apple procured through the market intervention scheme, these agencies offer agricultural tools, fertiliser, crates, baskets, TSO oil, juice and jam to the farmers. Generally, these agencies make payments very late, more than a year later. As a result, many farmers opt to buy some tools or horticultural products that these agencies offer, rather than waiting for the payment.