Local apples not selling in Panchthar

Panchthar, September 16

Apples grown in Phidim Municipality do not have a market in Panchthar district. Consequently, they are used for brewing liquor and feeding cattle.

Apples grown by around 150 farmers at Skooldanda, Syaudanda and Dojardanda are used to brew alcohol and feed the cattle.

Dhan Bahadur Gurung, a local, said that lack of market as well as an appropriate price for their produce had left farmers worried. According to Gurung, five types of apples are grown in these areas.

While local apples have not found a market within Phidim, imported Indian apples are being sold at the district headquarters and other city areas in the district.

Agriculture Knowledge Centre and Phidim Municipality do not even have data of the kinds of apples grown or the volume of apples produced.

Phidim Municipality Agriculture Development Office Chief Yam Sangraula said that lack of budget was the main reason why they had not been able to approach apple farmers and help them.

Â