International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 31-37 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 31 Research Report Open Access Productivity Determinants and Production Constraints of Apple (Malus Spp.) in Jumla District of Nepal Sisam Gautam1, Dharma Prasad Chapai 1 , Madhav Dhital 2, Nirajan Acharya1 1 Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, 44209, Nepal 2 Department of Horticulture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, 44209, Nepal Corresponding email: dharmac26@gmail.com International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.1 doi: 10.5376/ijh.2024.14.0004 Received: 25 Feb., 2024 Accepted: 15 Mar., 2024 Published: 28 Mar., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Gautam et al., This is an open-access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Gautam S., Chapai D.P., Dhital M., and Acharya N., 2024, Productivity determinants and production constraints of apple (Malus Spp.) in Jumla District of Nepal, International Journal of Horticulture, 14(1): 31-37 (doi: 10.5376/ijh.2024.14.0004) Abstract A study was conducted to determine the factors affecting apple productivity and production constraints in the Jumla district of Nepal from February to June 2023. A total of 70 respondents were selected by using a simple random sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect the primary data. Secondary data were collected from ADO reports, Apple super zone and, CBS. SPSS was used to analyze the collected data and descriptive statistics were used to describe socio-demographic characteristics using frequency and percentage. A multiple regression model was used to determine factors affecting Apple's productivity. It showed that 61.7% of the productivity was explained by independent variables used in the model. The result of the regression model showed that years of farming experience and tree density were found positively significant at 10% and 1% level of significance. Intercropping was found negatively significant at 10% level of significance. The relative importance index method was used for ranking the production constraints of Apple. Insect disease damage was found to be the most important constraint to apple production with a high index value (0.911) followed by problem of irrigation (0.703), ineffective extension services (0.497), unavailability of inputs (0.451) and labor costs (0.437). Therefore the study suggests increased tree density, years of farming experience, and the introduction of effective bio pesticides are needed for improving the apple sector in the study area. For the better production and productivity of apple, further study on effective biopesticides, promising resistant varieties and sustainable orchard management practices are needed. Keywords Apple productivity; Multiple regression; Production constraints Introduction Agriculture development is crucial for boosting the overall economy of Nepal, as 60% of its population relies heavily on its agricultural sector due to its status as an agrarian economy (Lamichhane, 2022). Apple farming and production contributes around 0.3470% of Nepal's agricultural GDP (MOALD, 2023). Apple production is a significant agricultural activity for farmers residing in the high hills and mountainous regions of Nepal (Devkota et al., 2017). Although the productive area for apple farming in Jumla and Mustang districts is limited, Jumla has the highest area dedicated to apple production (MOALD, 2023). A range of factors can influence Apple's productivity including both climatic conditions and production practices. While climatic factors are beyond the control of humans, production practices can be adjusted to improve apple productivity. Although the productivity of the Jumla district is decent nationally, it is very far less than in advanced countries like China. Apple (Malus spp.) is the most significant temperate fruit commercially and is part of the Rosaceae family (Potter et al., 2002). It is a vital and profitable agricultural commodity with the potential to contribute to income generation and employment opportunities in the high hills of Nepal (Amgai et al., 2015). Apple production is a main source of income in the Jumla district of Nepal, playing a crucial role in food security (Atreya and Kafle, 2016). The climatic condition of the district, marked by high altitude, low humidity, and plenty of sunshine creates a favorable condition for apple cultivation (Thapa et al., 2024) and due to less precipitation and ample cold days, the growing season for crops are shorter (Krap, 2012). Farming Apple proves to be a gift to the farmers of the Jumla district because of its economic, social, and environmental benefits (Subedi et al., 2016). In 2008, Jumla was designated an organic district by the government of Nepal (Lewison, 2019). As a result, consumer demand is
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