Bajura farmers start picking apples after road reopens

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,Bajura, Oct.8: Farmers of Bajura district have started picking apples after vehicular movement resumed along the Sanfe-Martadi-Kolti road after repair. The road was damaged by monsoon disasters.

Moreover, farmers were seen more active this season in cultivating apples as the local authorities and Agriculture Knowledge Centre (AKC) of Bajura have provided grants for the transportation of apples to the market outside the district.

“Earlier, it would not be profitable to sell the apples after transporting them at our own investment. Now, there is a certain grant in taking the apples outside the district. We are thankful to the authorities,” said Dhan Bahadur Rawal, an apple farmer from Ward No. 1 of Swamikartik Rural Municipality in Bajura.

“The apples had started to ripen since the third week of September. However, the road was obstructed by disasters. It is why we did not pick them earlier,” said Rawal, adding, “Me and my neighbours have started picking apples now.”

Nevertheless, Rawal stressed that the authorities should construct a proper road to ensure it is not obstructed in monsoon every year. “Bajura farmers have been attracted towards apple farming. Proper road will ensure a quality future in this sector for the farmers,” said Rawal.

“The road obstruction prevented farmers throughout the district from picking apples,” echoed Hari Prasad Paneru, chief of Bajura AKC.

Paneru added that the local government and the AKC were each providing 40 per cent of the transportation cost and the farmer bears the remaining 20 per cent. 

“Around 1,020 metric tons of apple is cultivated in 170 hectares of land in Bajura on average. This year, the production declined by two per cent,” said Paneru.