Mustang apple farmers face losses as damaged roads halt transport
Summary
Apple farmers in Mustang are facing heavy losses after floods and landslides damaged the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road and halted apple transport. Harvest-ready fruit is rotting on trees and in storage as local officials urge urgent road repairs before the peak harvest window closes.
Key Points
- Floods and landslides have blocked the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road section of the Kaligandaki corridor, stopping apple transport from Mustang.
- Farmers say ripe apples are rotting on trees or in storage, causing major financial losses during the Dashain supply season.
- Only about 20 percent of the apple crop has reached the market so far, according to the Agriculture and Livestock Development Office in Mustang.
- Local officials want road repairs completed quickly so most of the remaining harvest can still be sold this month.
