Apples from Bajura to be sent to Kathmandu, Dhangadi

Bajura, September 22

Apples grown in Bajura will be exported to Kathmandu and Dhangadi for the first time.

The apples will be supplied from the district for the first time as the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Bajura, has offered loan to apple farmers in the district for the same. Earlier, apples would rot on the trees as they could not get the market price.

Acting chief at the knowledge centre Govinda Sijapati said preparation to supply around 600 quintals apples to the market was under way. He said the apples could not get market and had rotted in the field, but now it would be different.

Sijapati said a local cooperative, which had received supply permission, would supply and sell apples to the market from the field. He said one quintal apple would be supplied to Kathmandu, 60 quintals to Dhangadi and the remaining to Martadi and Kolti bazaar in the district.

Grade A apple was bought at Rs 25, grade B at Rs 20 and grade C at Rs 15 per kg from Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality. The knowledge centre said the three grades of apples could be bought at prices ranging from Rs 45 to Rs 50 at Budhinanda Municipality, while the same apple cost Rs 150 in Martadi. According to the knowledge centre, apple farming was done in 230 hectare land. Agriculture Promotion Officer Min Prasad Jaisi said the district was expected to produce 150 metric tonnes of apples this year.