Farmers attracted to apple farming

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,Bajura, Apr. 29: Farmers in Bajura are showing a growing interest in apple farming. In the past, due to the lack of road access in rural areas, local farmers had little enthusiasm for cultivating apples.

However, with the expansion of road networks into villages, apples produced in the region are now reaching major urban markets across the country. This improved market access has significantly increased farmers’ interest in apple cultivation.

Chakra Bahadur Kathayat, a farmer from Budhinanda Municipality–8, said that apple farming has begun to make livelihoods easier. 

He explained, “Earlier, there were no roads in the village, and vehicles could not access here. Now, with roads reaching our homes, vehicles come right up to our courtyards. We can load our apples directly onto vehicles and sell them in the market.”

He added that although farmers previously grew crops such as paddy, wheat, and barley, apple farming has now proven more beneficial for livelihoods. As a result, many are shifting from traditional grains to apple cultivation.

Apples are produced in several areas of the district, including Himali, Swamikartik Khapar, Jagannath, Budhinanda, Badimalika, Gaumul, Budhiganga, and Khaptad Chhededaha. 

Among these, Pandusen in Badimalika Wards 9 and 10 produce the highest quantity of apples. Apples also grow well in Himali, Swamikartik Khapar, and Jagannath.

In recent years, apple production has expanded to Gaumul, Badimalika, and Budhiganga municipalities.  Organic apples produced in Bajura are now reaching various cities across the country. 

Previously, apple farming was limited to Himali, Swamikartik, Budhinanda, and Jagannath, but it has now spread to Gaumul and Khaptad Chhededaha as well.

Jasiram Sahani, Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Bajura, stated that apple farming is currently carried out on 170 hectares of land in the district. 

He said, “Earlier, apple production in Bajura was minimal, and unsold apples were often fed to cattle. Now, with transport subsidies from the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, organic apples produced in the district are sold in markets across the country.”

While Bajura previously produced only local varieties of apples, farmers are now also cultivating Fuji, Gala, and Golden varieties. 

Last year, the district produced 1,020 metric tonnes of apples, of which nearly 600 metric tonnes were sold in markets across the country, according to Chief Sahani.