Kalikot farmers busy picking apples

By Our Correspondent,Kalikot, Aug. 11: Apple harvesting has started in Kalikot district. Right from the first week of August, farmers of Tilagufa Municipality and Raskot Municipality of the district where huge amount of apples are produced are busy for picking apples for sale.

Tilagufa Municipality had stopped picking apples till August 4. 

The municipality had notified not to pick apples before August 4 as test of apple would not be good if farmers picked apples quickly in the hope of getting a high price in a hurry and there would be complaints that the apples of Kalikot have no taste. 

The farmers were also forced to wait for time as the municipality did not provide letter for apple supply. 

Khadka Raj Shahi, former ward chairman of Tilagufa Municipality-4, said that the apple picking time had been fixed since his tenure as the farmers had a habit of picking apples before the time came.

He said that he started picking apples from his garden from Wednesday (August 7).

He said that as soon as the municipality announced the opening of supply of apples on Sunday (August 4), boxes of apples were brought on the streets and supplied to different cities of the country.

Shahi informed that he had started picking apples from his garden and would supply them for sale in a few days. 

Kamal Shahi of Ranchuli said that apple picking had started all over the municipality. 

He said that he had already started picking apples and one truck had already been supplied to the market.

Now the contractors have come to the garden to purchase apples. Farmers are getting Rs. 50 per kg of apples.

Farmer Khadka Raj Shahi said that in garden the contractor paid Rs. 75 per kg, but when transporting to the road, only Rs. 50 to Rs. 55 per kg would be in the farmer’s hand.

“It is better for those who have gardens near the road. Farmers who are far away do not have much value for apples. Apple picking has also started in Raskot Municipality of Kalikot,” he said.

Shanta Kumari Roka Magar of Raskot Municipality-2 said that the apples of her village had been sold and the work of picking apples in mountain area and carrying them to the roads by porters was going on. Farmers are not in a hurry as the apples of Raskot Municipality will remain in the orchards till October, she said.