Mustang. Hybrid apples based on high-density technology are being produced in Mustang. This time, the post haquest has reached the final stage. A district-level coordination meeting of the concerned bodies had decided to allow the supply of high hybrid, gala apples from August 19 and the King variety of apples from August 29. As per the decision, apple orchards have already been exported to Pokhara, Kathmandu and other places.

According to Agriculture Knowledge Centre, apple production of this type has increased by around 10 percent this year. A preliminary survey showed a surge in apple production, Office chief Rajesh Gurung said.

He said 1,250 metric tons apples were produced in 50 hectares of land last year as compared to 60 hectares of hybrid apple orchard. According to Gurung, the production this year was 125 metric tons more than last year.

However, the production of traditional local varieties of apples is likely to decline, according to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre. According to Gurung, apple production of local varieties is expected to decrease by 15 percent this year as compared to last year.

Last year, 6,078.84 per cent metric tonnes was produced in 830 hectares of land in the district. According to the Knowledge Centre, the production is estimated to be 92 metric tons less than last year.

Dip Sagar Thakali, a farmer of Tukuche in Thasang-1, said that apple production has decreased by one-third in Thasang area this year. “Last year there was a lot of fruit, but this year there are very few apples on the plant,” he said.

It is expected that there will be no problem in production in some areas. According to Karma Gurung, proprietor of Chimle Achard Agro Apple Farm at Gharpajhong-5, the production of apples of local varieties has not been affected. According to him, proper management of the orchard, geography and location also make a difference in apple production.

Padmanath Atreya, chief of the Temperate Horticulture Development Center Marfa, said that the production will decrease as the rain has affected the plants when the flowers are blooming. He, however, said that the exact number of apples produced in the district will be ascertained after September.

According to the centre, 7,328 metric tonnes apples were produced in 6,016 hectares of land last year. Out of which 10 per cent apples were consumed in Mustang and 90 per cent were exported outside the country. According to the Knowledge Centre, Rs 91.86 million was consumed in the district while Rs 82.68 crore was transacted from apple export.