By Netra Shahi
Jumla, Oct. 11: The government has provided apple cartons in 50 per cent subsidy to the apple farmers of Jumla.
Chief of the Apple Super Zone Office Nawaraj Bhandari said that cartons had been provided to apple farmers with 50 per cent subsidy under the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project.
He said that grant carton programme was being held as a small grant from the government to make it easier for farmers to keep apples safe and export them.
According to him, government called for a proposal and selected the company for the distribution of cartons to the farmers.
Around 15,000 cartons have been distributed to apple farmers so far, said Raj Bahadur Bhakri, a member of Sopan Press Private Limited.
According to him, a carton of Rs. 110 has been made available to farmers at Rs. 55.
Bhakri said that the farmers had taken 50 to 1,000 cartons.
Around 3,000 cartons are yet to be sold, he said.
Deviram Nepali, a farmer of Guthichaur-4, Khallabada, said that it had been easier to export apple after the distribution of subsidised cartons to farmers.
Ekraj Adhikari of Guthichaur-4, Khallabada and Dhautal Sarki of Guthichaur-5, have taken 1,000 apple cartons each.
Similarly, Padam Khatri and Ratan Khatri of Tatopani Gaunpalika purchased 505 cartons each and Tulasi Bohara of Guthichaur Maruni Village purchased 600 cartons, said Bhakri.
Farmers have informed that they could easily pack around 10-12 kilograms of apples in a carton provided in subsidy.
They said that there was no shortage of cartons in Jumla as apple production had dropped by 50 per cent this year.
Apples need a good carton to be safely packed. The cartons were demanded by the farmers accordingly.