Mustang apple being sold in Nepal and abroad
Apple produced in remote northern district of Mustang is making its way to as far as Doha, the capital of Qatar, a newspaper report said.
Recent hailstorm damaged nearly one-fourth of the crop, Nepal Samacharpatra daily reported Wednesday. According to officials at the District Agriculture Office (DAO) of Mustang, nearly 1,400 metric tonnes of apple was produced in the district last year.
As the district is yet to have road transport facility, apple from Mustang has to be transported to the western town of Pokhara by air or on the mule back. The DAO has allocated Rs one million as subsidy to help in the air freight of nearly 100 tonnes of apple to Pokhara.
Per kg of apple in Mustang costs between Rs 8 to 20 but the air freight alone costs Rs 30 per kg, according to farmers. Given the huge demand for Mustang apple, traders are selling it within the country and also exporting it to Doha, the news report said. nepalnews.com by Nov 02 05
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