International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 31-37 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 32 increasing but due to the lack of transport facilities, lack of irrigation, and cold storage, apple growers are facing constraints in apple production and marketing. The primary factors that hinder apple production in Jumla district are various diseases and pests that affect both the trees and fruit. Pests and diseases of Apple trees not only reduce the productivity of the tree but also hurt the quality of fruits (Beigh et al., 2015). This study is designed to find the determinants of apple productivity and identify the existing production problems that can contribute to filling the existing gaps and for better implementation of future programs for the development of apple fruit enterprise in the Jumla district of Nepal. 1 Materials and Methods 1.1 Experimental site The study was carried out in the Jumla district of Karnali province which lies at 25°58' to 29° North latitude and 81°51' to 82°35' East longitude. It covered the areas assigned under the PMAMP Apple Super zone: Chandannath, Tatopani, and Guthichaur of Jumla district. Jumla lies from 915 m to 4,579 m from mean sea level. The high elevation and cold days providing sufficient temperature for chilling and vernalization make the Jumla district a favorable region for Apple production. 1.2 Sampling frame and sampling techniques Apple growers of the Jumla district were the population of the study. Apple growers associated with PMAMP, PIU, Apple Superzone Jumla were the sampling frame. Seventy apple growers were selected by using simple random sampling techniques for the primary data collection (Sample size was determined by using a Raosoft sample size calculator with a margin of error being 10% and a level of confidence being 90%). 1.3 Sources of data collection Both the primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected from apple growers through household surveys and focus group discussions (FGD). The sources of secondary data were annual reports, data from NGO’s and INGO’s. Publications and websites of FAO and MOALD were made accessible for the withdrawal of data. The secondary information was also obtained through reviewing different publications mainly produced by, the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture Development (MOALD), Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Apple super zone, Jumla and various relevant and related published journals and research articles. 1.4 Research instruments 1.4.1 Household survey Individual households were approached in person and questioned using a semi-structured questionnaire. A simple interview schedule was developed, which included information on the target group's socioeconomic characteristics, existing production practices, factors affecting apple production, production status, and various constraints associated with apple production. The 70 households were interviewed to gather primary data. 1.4.2 Focus group discussion Farmers' groups were formed in an accessible location of the site and focus group discussion were carried out by the use of open-ended questionnaires. The responses received from them were useful to validate the first-hand results of individual contact. 1.5 Explanation of variables 1.5.1 Socio-demographic variables Socio-demographic variables including gender, family type, education level of respondents, active members of family involved in agriculture, land holding status, etc. were analyzed using descriptive statistics. 1.5.2 Area, production and productivity The area under apple production was analyzed on hectare and the production was analyzed on tons. The productivity of apples per household farm was calculated by: Productivity = P/A
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