Climate Change Impacts on Apple Value Chain in Nepal
Dhan Bahadur Kathayat
Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Karnali Province, Nepal
Rishi Ram Kattel
Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
ABSTRACT:
Climate change is significantly impacting Nepal’s apple value chain, particularly in high-altitude regions like Jumla, Mustang, and Dolpa, where production, quality, and profitability are increasingly threatened. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and pest outbreaks disrupt yields, requiring adaptation measures estimated at NPR 350,000 (US$ 2631) per hectare. This investment would fund high-density apple plantations (e.g., Fuji), pest management, irrigation, and orchard improvements, yet financial constraints limit smallholder farmers’ access to these technologies. To address these challenges, a coordinated response is essential. Local governments, agricultural institutions, and cooperatives should provide subsidies or low-interest loans to enable farmers to adopt climate-resilient practices. Further investment in research and training is needed to develop pest-resistant varieties and adaptive cultivation methods. Infrastructure enhancements, including cold storage and transportation, are also critical to reducing post-harvest losses. Together, these strategies can improve the resilience and sustainability of Nepal’s apple industry amidst climate challenges.
Published in: International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics (Volume 5, Issue 11, November 2024)
Page(s): 21-29
Date of Publication: 07/11/2024
Publisher: IJRAMT
Cite as: Dhan Bahadur Kathayat, Rishi Ram Kattel, “Climate Change Impacts on Apple Value Chain in Nepal,” in International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics, vol. 5, no. 11, pp. 21-29, November 2024.