Apple cultivated on 4,250 hectares of land in Jumla

BY NETRA SHAHI,Jumla, July 2: Jumla, a district renowned for its apple production, is currently witnessing an expansion in apple cultivation. 

With the increasing demand for Jumla apples, the cultivation of this fruit has also seen significant growth. Since the introduction of the “one house, one apple garden” concept by the District Agricultural Development Office (DADO) in 2007, the practice of planting apple saplings and growing apple gardens in almost every household in the district has gained momentum. 

The Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernisation Project has played a pivotal role in boosting apple cultivation and production by providing expertise and subsidies. Since the fiscal year 2016/2017, this project has been offering seed subsidies, agricultural material subsidies, and capacity development programmes to farmers for expanding apple orchards, thereby assisting the DADO. 

According to data from the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernisation Project, apple cultivation has expanded to cover 4,250 hectares of land in Jumla, including the plantation of high-density apple trees. 

Khemraj Shahi, Chief of the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernisation Apple Superzone Office, reported that this programme had contributed to the cultivation of apples on an additional 335.75 hectares of land. Moreover, walnut cultivation had been expanded to cover 65 hectares of land in Jumla. 

As part of the programme, Gutichour Agro Firm alone has received a grant of Rs. 4.69 million, along with subsidies of 2.5 million plants and Rs. 2.19 million for irrigation and fencing. Under the leadership of Kisan Bhandari, Gutichour Agro farm has established a large orchard in Jaljala, Dhapda, and Kadakhola areas by planting 35,000 apple saplings. 

Bhandari revealed that 28,000 apple saplings had been planted in a single location, featuring varieties such as Fuji, Kingrang, and Golden. The garden produced approximately 80 tonnes of apples last year, and this year’s estimate stands at 200 tonnes. 

Similar to Min Bahadur Bhandari, a farmer from Guthichour Rural Municipality, many farmers now perceive apples as a means to attain future economic prosperity. 

Akhe Agriculture Tourism and Research Industry, located in Chandannath Municipality of Jumla, has planted 3,500 apple trees. Farmer Saroj Shahi mentioned that the Industry received 450 plants with a 50 per cent subsidy from the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernisation Project. Additionally, an apple grading machine was provided with a subsidy of Rs. 1.5 million. 

Another farmer, Tanka Giri, has initiated commercial apple cultivation by planting 14,000 apple trees on 22 hectares of land in Lower Gutichour Rural Municipality 3. Giri has fenced 2,200 hectares of land and established an apple orchard. 

The Superzone office confirms that Giri’s apple garden, operating under the name of Himali Tea and Agro Private Limited, has received a grant of Rs. 2.4 million. Similarly, this year, Chulikarnali Agro Private Limited in Tilagufa Municipality-3 of Kalikot has established an apple orchard with 20,000 seedlings planted on an area of 76,300 square metres, along with 150 saplings in Foigaun.

The Apple Superzone Office has subsidised 5,000 Fuji apple saplings in that region. Moreover, Jumla alone has received a subsidy for 19,200 seedlings this year, with an investment of Rs. 70 million in the programme, according to Naveen Hamal, director of Chulikarnali Agro. Furthermore, a community garden consisting of 2,800 plants has been established in Gutichour Rural Municipality-5. 

Local resident Dharma Bhandari explains that the apple garden was collectively established, with 40 farmers jointly owning the land. The government has also commenced investment activities in this area. 

The Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Apple Superzone Office, Jumla, has subsidized 1,500 plants by 50 per cent in that vicinity. Additionally, apple planting has begun in the previously barren forest areas of the district. 

According to the DADO, Jumla produced 18,000 metric tonnes of apples in the financial year 2022/2023.