Karma expects to sell apple worth Rs. 30 million

By Amrit Prasad Paudel

Myagdi, Aug 31 : Mustang’s apple is now famous for its taste. Many people know the taste of juicy Mustang apple in a single bite. People in Mustang have been growing apples since ancient times. 

But it has been only a few years since the commercial cultivation of the fruit began in Mustang, and the credit for initiating commercial farming goes to Karma Gurung of Dhumba in Gharpajhong Rural Municipality-5. He is the first person to start cultivating apples commercially in the district.

His main apple farm is just across Jomsom, the headquarters of Mustang, while his apple gardens are in seven other locations.

Born as the 12th child to Amchi Pember Gurung and Dolma Gurung, Karma is now 58 years old.

Gurung said that the production of apples was not well last year, so he sold apples worth only Rs. 20 million.

He said, "Estimating the fruit is grown in the tree and the market price, I have expected to sell apples worth about Rs. 30 million this year.''

Gurung, who has planted 2,700 trees of local varieties and 20,000 trees of high-density apples in an area of 400 companies of land, said that this year the production has been 30 percent higher than last year's. 

Karma, who uses only organic fertilizers on his apple farms, claimed that he is the first farmer to plant high-density apples in Mustang.

Apples have been planted there since ancient times, but only for their personal consumption.

In the past, there was a problem of not knowing how many apples a plant can produce by looking at the quality of the apple plant. Although the apples produced in Mustang, which has a naturally suitable climate for apples, are of high quality, there is a problem in marketing due to a lack of proper promotion.

He complained that due to a lack of proper publicity and regular disruptions in the transport and road network, there is a problem in the transportation of apples while reaching the market.

As some of the consumers of apples are consuming artificially made bright apples from elsewhere, they may not know the quality and taste of Mustang apples.

He said that consumers should know that Mustang apples are different and recognize organic apples.

"We produce pesticide-free apples, so if the consumers have any idea that the pesticide-free apples may have some spots and may also be attacked by common insects, they can use the quality apples produced in Mustang," he said.  Now there is a need for commercial cultivation of apples.

Gurung argued that the state should think about apple production in the deserts of the Himalayan districts.

According to him, in addition to managing the barren land, if the state encourages commercial apple production by arranging irrigation, the income of the state will also increase and employment will also be created.

Karma, the first person in Mustang to cultivate apples using modern technology, said that he had applied the techniques used in the developed countries to his garden with the help of the internet.

He said that his visit to other districts for training and using the things he learned have helped him increase production.

Gurung was also awarded a medal by the President on Constitution Day-2077 for his contribution to the agriculture sector.