DHANGADHI: Pesticide-free organic apples produced by farmers in Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality of Bajura have arrived in Dhangadhi, Kailali, in search of a market.
According to apple farmer Dan Bahadur Rawal of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality-1, farmers have been struggling to sell their produce in the local market despite increased production.
Rawal, who has been commercially cultivating apples through his registered Rupali Agriculture Farm, said the lack of a reliable market has left many farmers struggling to recover their investment. “Many farmers here have grown apples, and the production has been good. However, because there is no market, their hard work and investment are being wasted,” he said.
Rawal collected apples from the orchards of seven farmers, including himself, and transported them to Dhangadhi. He said the lack of storage facilities has forced farmers to sell their produce at low prices, while some apples have even rotted in the fields.
He said the establishment of a proper market, collection center, fair pricing system and cold storage facilities would provide significant relief to local apple farmers and help increase their income.
After finding it difficult to sell the apples locally, Rawal spent three days transporting around eight tonnes of red, Royal and Golden varieties to Dhangadhi via Kalikot, Dailekh and Surkhet. The apples are being sold at Rs 120 per kilogram.
Produced without chemical pesticides, the apples are said to be juicier, more affordable and tastier than other varieties available in the market.
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