Karnali: The Himalayan districts in the Karnali Province, renowned for their livestock and apple farming, are facing significant challenges in securing adequate returns from their produce, primarily due to issues with transportation. Despite government claims of integrating all districts into the national road networks, there remains a significant lack of reliable road access, hindering farmers from transporting their goods from remote hills to major highways.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Karnali Corridor, a crucial route connecting the upper Karnali to the southern plains and the rest of the country, is frequently disrupted during the monsoon season. This disruption poses significant hurdles for farmers in getting their produce to market, often resulting in the decay of apples grown in the cold Himalayas. Farmers from Jumla, Mugu, and Humla districts are particularly affected, with apples even decaying before leaving the orchard.
In Jumla, apple production has declined this year compared to last, primarily due to adverse weather conditions such as hailstorms, rain, and drought. Ram Bhakta Adhikari, Head of the Agriculture Development Office in Jumla, stated that apples are assessed for quality and sweetness before being supplied to the market. The office has begun collecting data on apple production, exports, and income, and suppliers are now purchasing apples directly from orchards, with farmers selling them at Rs 70 per kilogram.
Despite the introduction of market-driven pricing, farmers are setting their own rates for their apples, unlike in previous years when the office determined the prices. Under the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Project, the Apple Super Zone has distributed 11,000 cartons to farmers, facilitating the sale of their produce. Apples from Jumla are now being supplied to cities such as Surkhet, Nepalgunj, Butwal, Chitwan, and Kathmandu.
This year, only 2,900 hectares have been used for apple production in the district, despite 4,400 hectares being dedicated to apple cultivation. “Though apple farming is a potential source of good income for local farmers, transportation issues remain a major problem,” Adhikari added. The district produces a variety of apples, including red, royal, jonathan, golden, gala, fuji, and jonaprince.