Farmers alarmed by drop in apple production in Dhorpatan and Niseldhor

BAGLUNG: Apple farmers in Baglung’s Niseldhor and Dhorpatan are facing major losses this year due to a sharp decline in production.

In key apple-growing areas such as Kunde, Gabha, Kang in Nisikhola Rural Municipality-5, and Nabhi, Bhuji, and Syalapakhe in Dhorpatan Municipality-9, yields have plummeted — leaving orchards virtually barren.

Local farmer Hemraj Sapkota, who has been cultivating apples for nearly a decade, reported that his four-ropani orchard produced less than 10 percent of the usual yield this year.

“Most of the trees are empty. This is the worst year so far,” he said, blaming erratic weather patterns and lack of timely rain caused by climate change.

Another farmer, Man Bahadur Gharti, echoed similar concerns, attributing the poor harvest to the prolonged winter drought and lack of snowfall.

“Only the Italian Fuji variety bore some fruit. Last year I sold apples worth Rs 100,000 to 150,000 — this year, even Rs 200,000 worth wasn’t produced,” he said.

According to Santosh Adhikari, Information Officer at the Agriculture Knowledge Center, apple farming covers 56.92 hectares in the district, which used to yield over 330 metric tons annually.

However, production has seen a sharp decline this year, raising serious concerns among local growers.