Hybrid apple farming expanding in Manang

MANANG, AUGUST 9: Most of the houses in Manang have apple orchards. Apple farmers in the district are gradually transitioning from traditional and subsistence apple farming to commercial cultivation. They have shifted to growing hybrid apple varieties due to their relatively great benefits.

Sol Bahadur Gurung of Tachai, Naso Rural Municipality-8, is among those engaged in commercial hybrid apple farming. He said that increased production from hybrid seeds attracted them to this type of farming. Additionally, the market for hybrid apple varieties is promising, he added.

Polden Chhopang Gurung, the founder of Agro Manang, said that farmers in the area are engaged in hybrid apple farming because both production and market conditions are favorable. What began with bringing plants from outside the country has now expanded throughout the district, according to the district-based Agriculture Knowledge Centre.

Founder Gurung noted that hybrid apple farming has been established on four ropanis of land using high-density technology. "Initially, the farm started apple cultivation by importing high-yielding hybrid apple saplings from Italy and Serbia. Apple farming with various hybrid varieties—such as Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious—has since been expanded," he mentioned.

The hybrid apple farming, which began six years ago, has now spread throughout the district. Madan Regmi, Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, shared that farmers are attracted to these apple varieties because they start producing fruit within two years. With increased production, the income levels of farmers have also risen. He added that farmers are drawn to hybrid apple farming as production continues to grow each year.

Farmers are increasingly interested in hybrid apple farming to achieve better income after struggling with the local apple varieties. Chief Regmi opined that hybrid apple farming now covers more than 13,000 ropanis. Apples produced in Manang are exported to Pokhara, Kathmandu, Chitwan, and even abroad.