Kathmandu— Farmers in northern parts of Bajura, Nepal, have begun harvesting this year's apple crop as the fruit reaches maturity. However, farmers in Pandusain face significant challenges due to a four-month-long road blockage that has prevented them from transporting their apples to market. The road closure poses a risk of financial loss for these farmers, who are otherwise optimistic about improved yields and higher prices compared to last year.

Improved Yields and Market Prices

Farmers in Himali, Swamikartik Khapar, Jagannath, and Budhinanda municipalities have started picking apples as they ripen fully in September. Unlike previous years when farmers had to carry their produce to markets themselves, traders now increasingly travel directly to the orchards to buy apples. This development has made marketing easier for farmers and encouraged local communities to expand apple cultivation on land previously used for winter crops.

"Earlier, we had to pick apples and take them to the market for sale. Now, traders come to the orchard to buy apples. We don’t have to carry them to the market," one farmer said. Last year, farmers sold apples for about Rs. 30 per kilogram at the orchard; this year, they expect prices to reach around Rs. 50 per kilogram.

Road Closure Hinders Market Access

While farmers in several northern areas have access to the Karnali Corridor, apple growers in Pandusain of Budhinanda Municipality face a more immediate problem due to the closure of the Martadi-Kolti road since May. Around 42 kilometers of the road remain affected by the disruption, which has repeatedly caused problems for farmers during the monsoon season.

Nanda Bahadur Rokaya, ward chairman of Budhinanda Municipality-10, said the prolonged closure had left apple growers worried about how to transport their harvest. "The road was closed in May. That road has not been opened yet. After the road was closed, now the apple farmers here are worried about how to take them to the market. There is a problem of having to carry heavy loads to sell apples," said Rokaya.

Infrastructure Development Delays

The road closure is due to difficulties crossing the Bauli River, which has stopped vehicles from traveling further than Anai. A contract worth Rs. 55.888 million was signed with Dhangadhi-based TDR-Jugal Kaushik JV on November 1, 2021, to construct a concrete bridge over the river. The original completion date of February 27, 2023, has been extended to March 14, 2026, but construction remains unfinished.

Subhash Shah, an engineer at the Road Division Office in Achham, said that Kasim Construction Service Mangalsain has now started the bridge construction after the previous company left the job.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.