By Sher Bahadur Karki, Bajura, Feb. 16: The establishment of High-Density Apple Orchard programme has been introduced in the majority of local levels in Bajura.

Agriculture Knowledge Center, Bajura said that the programme had kicked off in Budhinanda, Jaganath, Swamikartik, and Gaumul local levels among others.

Gobindra Sijapati, chief of the knowledge center said, "The high-density apple orchard programme has been introduced after a huge possibility in the increment in farmers' income was seen from farming apples of the new breed."

"Currently, apples of the various breeds including Fuji, Gala, and Golden breeds brought from Turkey are being farmed for trial," said Sijapati.

Works to plant over 4,000 apples, 1,000 in Swamikartik, 1,500 in Budhinanda, 500 in Jaganath, and 1,000 in Gaumul in the first phase will be starting from the first week of Falgun.

"It will take less than three years for the new breeds of apple to grow. These new breeds will aid in increasing the income of farmers," added Chief Sijapati.

Likewise, Sher Bahadur Rawat, a farmer of Swamikartik Rural Municipality said that they were farming local apples in the village before the programme was introduced. "The local apples were smaller in size. Now that the farming of a new breed of apple with new technology is beginning, we are very excited."

"Chuta Gurung, an apple specialist, will be providing training to the farmers to farm the apples from new technology," Sijapati added.