Around 4,000 tons of Mustang apples, which are famous for their quality and taste, are ready for harvest in different VDCs of Mustang. Farmers, however, have not plucked the apples as they do not know when the road will be repaired.[break]
As it is not certain when transport resumes, some farmers and contractors, who have bought apples from farmers, are transporting apples on mules. But that would triple price of the apples, which is priced at Rs 50-60 per kg in the farm, when it reaches the markets in Pokhara.
According to officials of Western Regional Directorate of Agriculture, apples worth Rs 220 million are ready for harvest in Mustang. Birendra Kumar Hamal, director of the directorate, said his office has requested concerned authority to immediately repair the damaged section of Beni-Jomsom road so that farmers will not have to face huge loss.
Officials of Division Road Office, Pokhara say flood has destroyed about 150 meters of the road near Bhirkot. Umeshbindu Shrestha, chief engineer at the office, said they have been facing difficulty to repair the road due to flood in Kaligandaki River. “It will take some time, as some parts of the road have been submerged under the Kaligandaki River,” he added.
“We need around Rs 20 million for the purpose. The government has to invite tender for the purpose and it might take 5-7 months.”
Red delicious and golden delicious are the popular apple varieties of Mustang farmers.
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