Mahendranagar, 15 September

Apples cultivated in the scenic regions of Himalayan Jaganath, Budhinanda, and Swamikartik local bodies in the northeastern part of the Bajura are facing an uncertain fate as they remain stranded in orchards. Local farmers had plans to transport their ripe apple harvest to various parts of the country for sale, but the Martadi-Kolti road's closure has left their precious produce stranded.

Dhan Bahadur Rawal, an apple farmer from Swamikartik Rural Municipality-1, Joruk, expressed his concern, "Our apples have ripened in the fields, but due to the perennial closure of the Martadi-Kolti road during this season, we face difficulties in reaching the city for sales. This has become a recurring problem for us every year."

Farmers in Himali, Swamikartik, Jagannath, and Budhinanda typically begin apple picking in their fields from the second week of August. However, the lack of a nearby market forces them to transport their produce to other cities in the country. Rawal added, "We don't have a local market here, and with the road closed, our only option is expensive courier transportation, which impacts the selling price."

The Martadi-Kolti road has remained blocked for an extended period due to a landslide. If the road isn't repaired promptly, apple farmers in the eastern northern region of the district fear their harvest may rot in the fields. Rawal lamented that despite producing organic apples in the remote areas of Bajura, they struggle to reach the market on time, resulting in some of their apples going to waste.

Min Prashad Jaishi, Information Officer of Krishi Gyan Kendra Bajura, noted that subsidies and packaging materials have been arranged to assist apple farmers in transporting their produce to market once the road reopens. He stated, "The road is currently closed, but preparations are in progress to transport Bajura apples to various cities as soon as the road becomes accessible."

In Bajura, approximately 170 hectares of land yield nearly 1,200 metric tons of apples. However, it is estimated that this year's apple production will decrease by two percent due to the road closure. Previously, apples were primarily grown in Jaganath, Budhinanda, and Swamikartik, but production has expanded to include Gaumul Khaptad Chededah Rural Municipality in the Himalayas.

Jaishi further mentioned that Bajura produces local, Fuji, Gala, and Golden varieties of apples. Efforts to restore the Martadi-Kolti Sakad road have already commenced, but heavy rains have posed challenges to the repair work. Authorities assure that once the weather improves, the road will be restored within a few days, providing much-needed relief to the worried apple farmers.