BAJURA: Apple farmers in Bajura are facing losses as the Martadi–Kolti road remains blocked during the peak harvesting season, disrupting access to markets.
The road has been closed since late May and is unlikely to reopen until October or November, according to locals. Apples in the region generally ripen from mid-August to late September.
Prakash Rokaya, an apple farmer in Budhinanda Municipality-9, has around 400–500 apple trees. With his orchards now ready for harvest, he is worried about how to transport the produce to market.
“Traders used to come to the orchards when the road was open. Now they do not come, and it is impossible to carry all the apples to market on our backs,” he said.
Farmers say they have repeatedly raised the issue with authorities, but no lasting solution has been found.
Apples are commercially produced in Budhinanda, Himali, Swamikartik Khapar and Jagannath. While farmers in Himali, Swamikartik Khapar and Jagannath can send their produce through the Karnali Corridor, farmers in Budhinanda depend heavily on the Martadi–Kolti road.
According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Bajura has around 170 hectares under apple cultivation and produced approximately 1,020 metric tonnes of apples last year. The centre also provides transportation subsidies to help farmers take their produce to market.
Local farmers traditionally grew indigenous varieties, but production has increasingly shifted toward Gala, Fuji and Golden varieties.
