Nepal: Jumla local levels restrict apple picking as buyers flock to gardens in the early season

JUMLA, August 8: The local levels in Jumla district have decided to restrict apple picking in the early season as there was supply of unripe apples in the markets of Surkhet, Nepalgunj and Dang. The decision was taken as the fame that the district earned for its organic values could fade away from collection and sale of unripe apples. “The Patarashi Rural Municipality in Jumla has decided to allow farmers to pick apples from August 24 in view of the Teej festival,” Rural Municipality Chairman Purna Singh Bohara said. If the farmers were found picking the apples prior to August 24, they would be deprived of grants and other subsidies to be given from the rural municipality, officials said. Likewise, the Tatopani Rural Municipality and Chandannath Municipality have decided to permit the farmers to pick apples only after August 31, arguing that the move would help maintain the quality of apples while ensuring good returns to the farmers. Furthermore, Tila, Kanaka Sundari and ...