"The anti-hail guns have not proved effective in protecting the crop against hailstorms and the government is not keen on continuing the project," Horticulture minister Vidya Stokes said.
The government will instead provide anti-hail nets to orchardists on 80 per cent subsidy, she said.
"Efficacy of anti-hail guns in protecting the apple crop from hailstorms is doubtful and our experience has shown these have proved to be counter-productive at times," she said.
The minister said these guns were not environment friendly as they disturb the local weather and subsequently take a toll on crops.
"We will encourage use of traditional anti-hail nets in fields by providing subsidy up to 80 per cent but before taking any final decision, we will consult farmers also," she said.
In view of hailstorms causing damage to vegetable and fruit crops in the state every year, the BJP government had launched the project on a pilot basis at a cost Rs 3 crore in the apple belt of Shimla.
Himachal is the only state to have experimented on anti-hail guns in the country.
