International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 201-207 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 201 Research Report Open Access Assessing the Impact of Educational Levels and Agricultural Practices on Apple Production in Jumla District: A Comparative Study of Farmer Knowledge, Tree Age, and Varietal Diversification Prakash Dhungana , Bibek Sharma, Sudarsan Panta, Padam Bhusal, Rohit Sah Department of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, 44209, Nepal Corresponding author: prakashdhungana2057@gmail.com International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/ijh.2025.15.0021 Received: 08 Apr., 2025 Accepted: 15 Jul., 2025 Published: 23 Aug., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Dhungana 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: Dhungana P., Sharma B., Panta S., Bhusal P., and Sah R., 2025, Assessing the impact of educational levels and agricultural practices on apple production in jumla district: a comparative study of farmer knowledge, tree age, and varietal diversification, International Journal of Horticulture, 15(4): 201-207 (doi: 10.5376/ijh.2025.15.0021) Abstract This study investigates key factors influencing apple production in the Jumla region of Nepal, a region recognized for its apple cultivation. Using survey data collected from 50 farmers across diversed municipalities, the analysis focuses on the impact of farmer demographics (sex and education level), tree age, and geographic location on apple yield, measured by average apple weight per tree. The findings indicate that while male farmers exhibit a slightly higher average apple weight (26.64 kg compared to 25.50 kg for female farmers), a primary education (27.04 kg) level correlates more strongly with increased productivity than secondary (21.83 kg), higher (24.25 kg), or being illiterate (16.94 kg). Tree age significantly affects yield, with trees older than 15 years demonstrating the highest average weight (38.20 kg). Geographical variations reveal that specific municipalities, notably Sinja (35.02 kg), outperform others, suggesting the influence of local environmental conditions and farming practices. This study provides valuable insights for designing targeted agricultural policies and extension services that can enhance apple farming practices and improve overall yields in the region. Keywords Apple (Malus pumila); Demographics; Education; Geography; Productivity; Tree age; Variety 1 Introduction Agriculture plays a vital role in Nepal’s economy, with a significant portion of the population relying on it for their livelihood. Among the various agricultural products, apple production has emerged as a key sector, particularly in high-altitude districts such as Jumla, where the climatic conditions favor its cultivation. The study of apple farming in Jumla District is essential for understanding the impact of various factors, such as farmer education, agricultural techniques, and varietal diversification, on production. Education among farmers significantly influences their ability to adopt modern agricultural practices, improve orchard management, and increase productivity. Additionally, factors such as the age of apple trees and the diversity of apple varieties play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable apple farming (Joshi et al., 2019). The present study aims to assess how farmers’ educational levels and their agricultural practices influence apple production outcomes in Jumla District. By comparing knowledge levels, tree age, and varietal diversification, this study seeks to provide insights that can contribute to improving apple yield and quality in the region (Sharma and Adhikari, 2021). Apple production in Nepal has witnessed significant growth over the past few decades, yet it remains constrained by multiple challenges. The total apple cultivation area in Nepal spans approximately 12 501 hectares, with an annual production of around 39 199 metric tons (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, 2021). The primary apple-growing regions in Nepal include Mustang, Jumla, Dolpa, Mugu, and Manang, where the climatic conditions are conducive to temperate fruit cultivation. Despite its potential, apple production faces hurdles such as limited access to improved farming techniques, inadequate post-harvest infrastructure, and poor market linkages (Poudel et al., 2020). The yield per hectare in Nepal remains lower than in other apple-producing countries due to suboptimal orchard management and outdated agricultural practices. Enhancing farmer education and introducing scientific orchard management techniques can play a crucial role in improving productivity
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