SATV 13 July, Kathmandu: Farmers in Jumla are increasingly turning to high-density apple farming, focusing on expanding the cultivation of improved apple varieties such as Italian Gala, Fuji, King Red, Golden, and Speed. This initiative is gaining momentum as part of a broader push to enhance apple production in the region.
The Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project (PMAMP), Jumla, has been supporting farmers by providing a 50 per cent subsidy to promote apple farming. According to Khem Raj Shahi, Agricultural Development Officer at the PMAMP Super zone Office, farmers have planted high-density apple trees across 52 hectares of land under the project.
Since the project began in fiscal year 2018/2019, investments have been made in 58 orchards. These orchards include plantations with saplings ranging in price from Rs. 500 to Rs. 45,000. More than 2,000 apple saplings have been planted across 12 government-supported orchards.
In Guthichaur Rural Municipality alone, farmer Min Bahadur Bhandari's Guthichaur Agro Farm has planted saplings worth Rs. 45,000 across three separate farms. Similarly, farmer Tank Giri has planted Rs. 14,000 worth of apple saplings in his orchard.
Super zone Chief Santosh Kumar Chaudhary informed that a comprehensive monitoring of the programme's progress was conducted this year. A total of Rs. 7.8 million in subsidies have been distributed to support the farmers’ orchards. He also said that stakeholders were provided with on-site information about the expansion of Fuji apples.
The Super Zone Office has also invested in irrigation systems, fencing, trellis structures, and provided saplings under a 50 per cent subsidy through the PMAMP. While local apple varieties have suffered damage this year due to hailstorms and rain, there is growing optimism around the Fuji variety.
In Srinagarchaur of Tatopani Rural Municipality- 5, 3,000 Fuji apple saplings have been planted at Star Agro Farm. Farmer Hari Bahadur Dangi informed that both Italian Gala and Fuji apples were planted, with support from the office.
The farm received Rs. 2.7 million in total subsidies for saplings, trellising, and fencing under the modernisation programme. Last year, the farm generated apple sales worth Rs. 400,000, and this year’s income is expected to exceed Rs. 1 million. The value of Fuji and Gala apples is also increasing. According to the office, the purchasing rate last year was Rs. 150 per kilogram and is expected to rise this year.
Farmer Bakhata Bahadur Shahi said that he planted 300 apple saplings with the 50 per cent trellis (support pole) subsidy provided by the Super Zone Office, which made his work much easier.
Chairman of the District Coordination Committee, Gauri Nanda Acharya, thanked the Super Zone Office for its consistent efforts in supporting apple farming. However, he also requested that subsidies not be repeatedly allocated to the same farmers and suggested that the programme’s targets can only be met if the government ensures adequate budget allocation.
