Bhojpur farmers attracted to apple farming

Bhojpur, April 3: Farmers from Baikunthe village of Ramprasad Rai rural municipality-6 have been attracted to commercial farming of apple.

They were interested in commercial farming after the local level provided grants.

A local Pandav Rai informed that the apple farming was begun in some 100 ropanies of land. Three dozens of farmers from Samke and Tamalung villagers were involved in it. The ward provided fifty percent grants for the commercial farming of apple, which encouraged the locals.

Ward Chairman Ekraj Acharya informed that the villagers were involved in apple farming in view of appropriate geography and climate. The local level distributed 1,800 apple seedlings to the farmers.

"We've planned to develop a pocket area of apple. Other areas are also encouraged to plant citrus fruits like orange and lemon," Acharya added.

Earlier, the ward had established a nursery to promote commercial farming of orange. Baikunthe is a proper place for producing fruit saplings.

Chief of agriculture section at the rural municipality, Dhiraj Thakur, informed that the farmers were provided technical assistance, reaching their fields.

The apple seedling planted this year would bear fruit after four years. The locals engaged in farming are also provided training on soil quality and compost. They are urged to test soil before planning commercial farming. (RSS)