DARCHULA: Apples are being produced in abundance in Patha and Kasauti villages of Api Himal Rural Municipality-3 in Darchula, but farmers are struggling to sell their produce due to a lack of markets and transportation problems.
Nearly 50 families in the two villages are engaged in commercial and traditional apple farming. Although improved varieties such as Kalmi, Gala and Italian Fuji are producing good yields, farmers say they have been unable to market their produce.
Kapoor Singh Dhami, operator of Himalayan Agriculture Farm, said more than 500 of his apple trees have produced around 15 to 20 quintals of apples this year. However, transportation difficulties and the lack of a reliable market have made it difficult to sell the produce.
“All the families in the village are engaged in apple farming. There are 10 to 12 families with more than 100 plants. Others produce smaller quantities, which they either sell locally or give to relatives,” Dhami said. “I sold one quintal in the village at Rs 100 per kilogram. It takes a whole day to transport the apples to the nearest vehicle. Even after reaching there, there is no reliable market to sell them.”
Janak Singh Karki is also engaged in commercial apple farming in Kasauti village. Farmers there are concerned about how they will market their increasing production, as Kasauti is even farther from the main transport route than Patha.
Three years ago, the Cottage and Small Industries Development Office established a cold storage facility in Patha village. Currently, around 10 quintals of apples from Dhami’s farm and another 15 to 20 quintals from other farmers are stored at the facility.
Farmers, however, are concerned about the lack of regular electricity supply and the possibility of their apples having to remain in storage for an extended period.
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