Satbanjh orchard transitions into winter fruit development center following decline in apple production

Baitadi: The historic Satbanjh orchard in Baitadi, once recognized for its flourishing apple production, has begun transforming its identity and structure. Due to the impact of climate change and a decline in snowfall, apple trees started drying up because of insufficient moisture, prompting the center to seek alternative solutions and reposition itself as a hub for winter fruits.

Established in 2019 BS, the orchard was developed over 29 hectares of land with 6,000 Red Delicious apple plants brought from Kashmir, India. However, after the apple trees stopped producing fruit in recent years, the orchard has been renamed the Satbanjh Dry Fruit Development Center.

The center’s nursery now produces more than 50,000 winter fruit seedlings annually. According to technician Arjun Khadka, these seedlings are supplied to various districts across Sudurpaschim and Karnali Provinces.

The improved plant varieties grown at the center are distributed not only within Baitadi but also across multiple districts in the two provinces. Currently, 10,000 grafted walnut plants are being cultivated in the nursery.

To preserve the orchard’s legacy, climate-adapted low-grade apple varieties such as Fuji and Gala have also been planted on a trial basis. According to the head of the center, Shashishekhar Bista, preparations are underway to develop the facility into not only a fruit production hub but also a recognized research and study center.