JUMLA: Apple orchards across Jumla are bustling with activity as farmers begin harvesting this season’s crop. With apples reaching peak ripeness, growers from all eight local units—including seven rural municipalities and one municipality—are busy picking, selling, and transporting their produce to markets across the region.
With apple picking now underway, local traders have started purchasing apples directly from orchards. Premraj Pandey, an apple farmer from Tatopani Rural Municipality-4, said he has begun selling ripe apples.
“Picking and selling apples from the garden has started,” said Pandey. “We are selling at Rs 65 per kilo from home. Local traders are transporting them to Surkhet and Nepalgunj.” Out of the 100 apple saplings he planted, only about 50% have borne fruit, and he estimates this year’s apple production is 40% lower than last year’s.
Prakash Rokaya, a local trader from Hima Rural Municipality, said buyers have started visiting orchards to purchase apples directly. He reported that around 600 cartons have already been bought within the municipality.
Meanwhile, Ram Bhakta Adhikari, Acting Chief of the Agricultural Development Office, Jumla, said that the Nagam Police Post, located on the Jumla–Kalikot border, has been tasked with collecting data on total apple production and inter-district exports.
Preliminary estimates suggest a slight decline in production compared to last year, though official figures will take time. To support growers, apple saplings are being distributed to farmers, entrepreneurs, and agricultural groups at a 50% subsidy.
With the Golden variety expected to ripen fully by Asoj, traders are currently purchasing a mix of local and Golden apples.
Apples from orchards connected to road networks are already being collected and sold in Terai districts, according to Adhikari.
Jumla has 4,120 hectares of land under apple cultivation, with approximately 2,900 hectares currently yielding fruit. It is estimated that around 16,000 metric tons of apples will be harvested this year. The district expects to earn about Rs 450 million from apple exports.
Officials say the expansion of apple farming and increased production are gradually contributing to Jumla’s economic growth, significantly impacting the livelihoods and routines of local farmers.
To further promote the apple market, the Agricultural Development Office has distributed 12,000 cartons labeled ‘Jumla Apple’ to local agricultural groups and cooperatives, also at a 50% subsidy.
According to Padma Raj Karki, Information Officer at the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Project Implementation Unit, Jumla farmers are cultivating several varieties of apples, including local varieties, Italy, Gala, Golden, Fuji, and Jonaprince.
The project reports that around 18,000 households in Jumla rely on apple farming as their primary source of income.
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