Surkhet, Sept. 4 -- Bhim Bahadur Rokaya of Simkot Rural Municipality-7 in Humla has planted around 300 apple trees on nearly nine ropanis of land. Of these, about 200 trees bore fruit last year, producing roughly 50 quintals of apple.

This year, he is preparing to transport apples to Nepalgunj and Surkhet by road and is busy harvesting. "It's impossible to send apples by air, since air freight costs Rs120 per kg," he said. "Now that the road reaches our village, earning Rs300,000 to Rs400,000 a year from apple sales is no longer difficult."

Dan Bahadur Budha of Simkot-6 is also preparing to sell apples outside this year. He has planted around 250 apple trees on seven ropanis, 100 of which yield fruit. He plans to send at least 40 quinta...