Apples give yield in two years after being planted in Kanda

By Sher Bahadur Sarki Bajura, June 28: Apples have started to yield fruit within two years of planting at the farm of one Bir Bahadur Rawal of Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality-1, Kanda of the district.

Fuji, Gala and Golden varieties of apples brought from Italy started fiving fruit within two years of planting in February, 2021.

Bir Bahadur Rawal, a local of Khaptad Chhededah-1, Kanda, said that 1,300 new plants of apple trees were planted with the grant of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre and 700 new plants with his personal investment.

According to him, he planted apples with the support of the Centre and his own investment with the objective that apples can be grown in the lower parts of the district, even the apples that used to grow only in the eastern norther part of the district.

He said that after the apples started giving fruit within two years of planting, it was known that Kanda, the lower part of the district, is also suitable for apple cultivation.

Rawal said, "Even my ancestors did not expect to cultivate apples in this place. I have been cultivating apples in this place. 

Now that the apples are growing well, it has been proven."

Not only Bir Bahadur Rawal but also other locals are very happy after getting fruits within two years of planting apples of Fuji, Gala and Golden varieties brought from Italy to the place at an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level.

Other locals of the place are encouraged towards apple farming after Rawal began apple farming using new technology in the land which was barren in the past.

Farmer Rawal is now very happy after the apple planted in February 2021 with the financial support of Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Bajura started to give yield in April 2022.

He said that he would give more priority to apple farming after the new technology of Fuji, Gala and Golden varieties of apples gave good results within two years.

He said that all the 2,000 apple trees planted have borne fruit. One plant gives up to 20 kg of apples. As this apple is organic, it is now sold in the local market, he said.

Now the apple has grown very well, there is no disease, no insect and no other problems, he informed.

Although there is no disease in apples this year, there may be disease in the next year, so the advice of technicians is very much needed to avoid it, said Rawal.

Rawal had brought 5,000 apple trees from Jumla a year ago and planted them in about 80 ropanis of land. That apple has not yet begun to give yield.

The unpaved road has reached from Wadapakiya to Syaunwari.

He said that a paved road was needed to transport the apples to the market after the apples planted in 80 ropanis yielded good results in few years.

According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Bajura, the Centre has been encouraging farmers to plant Fuji, Gala and Golden varieties of apples considering the prospect of higher income from these varieties of apples than others as these varieties are more productive, more valuable than others and have higher nutritional value than others.