GORKHA: Farmers in the Mulkharka and Nablu areas of Ajirkot Rural Municipality-2 in Gorkha have earned Rs 1.5 million from commercial apple farming this year.
The success of the harvest at an altitude of approximately 2,200 meters has encouraged local farmers to expand their operations.
Sanjeev Tamang ‘Viten’, operator of the Mulkharka Herbs and Apple Farm, reported that this year’s production reached 4,250 kilograms, up from 3,000 kilograms last year. By selling the produce at Rs 350 per kilogram, the farm generated Rs 1,487,500. “Compared to the previous year, the production is better this time, making it easier to send to the market,” Tamang said. About 60 percent of the apples were sold in local markets, while the remainder was sent to Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan.
Rural Municipality Chairman Deepak Devkota stated that the local government began supporting farmers for apple cultivation trials three years ago. “We have provided a 100 percent subsidy for the purchase of apple saplings and a 50 percent subsidy for the construction of orchard infrastructure for interested farmers within the municipality,” Devkota said. A total of 600 saplings of Fuji, Red Delicious, and Gala varieties, imported from Italy, were distributed for testing.
Shambhu Thapa, chief of the rural municipality’s agriculture branch, noted that while only 220 trees bore fruit in previous years, all of the distributed saplings produced fruit this season. Following the success of these trials, the rural municipality plans to expand commercial apple cultivation to wards 1 and 2. The local government has also prioritized commercial apple farming in its policy and programs for the fiscal year 2083/84. The expansion is expected to increase local income and contribute to the growth of agricultural tourism in Ajirkot.
