Road access motivates farmers into apple farming

By Sher Bahadur Sarki, Bajura, April 28: Farmers in Bajura are increasingly attracted to apple farming due to road network that has facilitated sale for apples grown here in big cities across the country.

"Livelihood has become easier because of apple farming. We had no road access in the past and no vehicles would come by here. Now, road has come to our courtyard and the vehicles on which we can load apples for sale," said Chakra Bahadur Kathayat, an apple farmer from Budhinanda Municipality-8.

 Kathayat said many people have started to grow apples in field where they would grow staple grains such as paddy and wheat in the past.

Apple is produced in high mountainous areas of the district such as Swamikartik Khapar, Jaganath, Budhinanda, Badimalika, Gaumul, Budhiganga Khaptad Chhededaha.

Pandusen, the area of Badimalika 9 and 10, grows apples the most in the Bajura district. Similarly, Himali Swamikartik Khapar and Jaganath also grow apples in  a good amount. Lately, apple production has started in Gaumul, Badimalika and Budhiganga municipality of the district.

Jasiram Sahani, chief of agriculture knowledge center of Bajura, said apple is grown in 170 hector of land in the district. "Apples were grown here even in the past, but then it would also be used as fodder for cattle for the lack of market. But now, we provide grant for transport and the organic apples grown here reach the market across the country."

Only local apples would be grown in the past, but now fuji, gala and golden variety of apples are grown. A total of 1020 tons of apple was grown in the district last year.