TAPLEJUNG: A trial of apple farming has been successful in Ghunsa and Phaletar under Faktanglung Rural Municipality of the district.

Saplings brought from Italy were planted in Phaletar and Ghunsa, located at the entrance to the base camp of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. As a result, the locals have become optimistic after the apple trees started bearing fruit within six months of plantation.

This successful attempt of apple farming has shown new prospects for commercial apple farming for farmers not only in Taplejung but also in the entire eastern Himalayan region.

Although apple farming has been going on in Phaletar and Gyapla areas since the past this is the first time that it has been tested in Ghunsa. Apple seedlings of the ‘Fuji’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ varieties brought from Italy were planted in coordination with Manang Agro Farm.

Under the Sustainable Ecological Agriculture System Program, a model apple orchard has been set up in two ropani of land in Phaletar and Ghunsa. According to Dawa Tshering Sherpa, the district coordinator of the Putali Sahayog Yojana that has supported the project, the objective of the project is to empower farmers economically through apple production as well as other agricultural products.

Nupudunduk Sherpa, a local of Ghunsa, is currently planning to expand his own apple orchard. “We ate the apples planted in Ghunsa and Phaletar. They a sweet taste. Now we are planning to cultivate apples in Ghunsa area.”

The model orchard in Ghunsa has 60 Japanese Fuji (female), 10 Golden Delicious (male) and 10 Kala (male) apple trees. Honey bees and chickens have been raised to maintain biodiversity in the orchard, which has helped pollinate the apple flowers and fertilize the soil.

The soil of Phaletar and Ghunsa was tested in Switzerland four years ago for a feasibility study of apple farming. Similarly, the quality test of apples produced in Phaletar and Ghunsa has also been successful. The apple expert team from Switzerland tested the taste, grain and sugar content and shared positive results.