Jumla apple farmers seek market for their produce

By Netra Shahi,Jumla, Aug. 4: Apple farmers of Jumla have raised concerns of marketing as apple production increased in the district.

The farmers said that the apples did not have a proper market during a discussion among stakeholders by the District Agriculture Development Office.

The discussion, which was focused on the ways to prevent the selling of unripe apples and managing markets for the ripened ones, was attended by the farmers, agriculture technicians, local government representatives and political party leaders across the district.

The farmers echoed the need for a cold store, quality roads and a proper market for the apples in the discussion programme.

"Several issues were raised during the programme. While we will start marketing Jumla apples effectively, we will also end the trend of sending unripe apples to the market," said Gaurinanda Acharya, chief of the Jumla District Coordination Committee.

Acharya, who also chaired the discussion, said that the apples of Jumla are in great demand but far from market.

Currently, businesses buying apples in Jumla need to get a recommendation letter from the respective local level's agriculture section.

The discussion had also decided that a local level would not grant recommendations to buy until the apples ripened.

Local farmers will also need a recommendation from the respective ward office for local trading.

"There were concerns over the quality of apples from Jumla after unripe apples reached Surkhet by mid-July. This is why the discussion decided to not allow the sale of unripe apples. We will also seek support from security personnel to ensure it," said Sher Bahadur Bhandari, information officer at the agriculture development office of Jumla.

The interaction also pointed to the need for strict and timely inspection of orchards for which the farmers received grants from a government body.

"The local governments are trying to prevent the transportation of apples before they ripen. However, people smuggle them. We need to join efforts against this improper act," said Motilal Rokaya, chairman of Tila Rural Municipality of Jumla.

Rokaya also urged the authorities to conduct similar interaction programmes once in a while.

"Local governments should also spend on marketing by allocating budget. The governments in the district can also coordinate for a common goal," said Rewati Rawal, deputy chairperson of Tatopani Rural Municipality.

Rawal said that there was an immediate need for a cold store in Jumla as well as Surkhet.

"Apples can constitute a backbone of Jumla. However, there is a need for proper marketing and regulation. We will coordinate with local levels for a long-term plan," said Jay Kumar Ghimire, Chief District Officer of Jumla.

Meanwhile, farmers argued that there was still a lot to be done.

"Even if we kept the apples until they ripened, there is no guarantee of a proper market. There is a need for not only infrastructures but effective plans and policies as well," said Raj Bahadur Bhakri, an apple farmer present in the discussion.