Author:
Dhikik Dhoka Gurung, Bijay Mahato, Bikal Poudel

Doi: 10.26480/amdn.01.2025.26.35

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

This study, conducted in 2024, assesses the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on apple production in Gharapjhong Rural Municipality, Mustang District, Nepal. Data were collected from 70 apple producers through interviews, direct observations, and five focus group discussions, using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and weighted linear regression using Microsoft Excel, SPSS, and STATA 14.2. The findings reveal no statistically significant change in apple production after COVID-19. However, the total average cost of production increased from Rs 72, 21,570 before to Rs 1, 19, 32,450 after the pandemic. While fixed costs remained constant, variable costs increased notably. The farm gate price rose from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kilogram, with the producer’s share improving from 50% to 57%, and the marketing margin remaining unchanged at Rs 60. Despite these shifts, the average benefit-cost ratio (BCR) declined from 1.8 to 0.9, indicating reduced profitability. Major challenges included disease outbreaks, flower and fruit drop, and a lack of technical knowledge. Mustang’s favorable agro-climatic conditions make it suitable for apple farming, yet persistent issues such as poor infrastructure, market access limitations, and climate vulnerability hinder productivity. The study suggests strategic interventions including infrastructure development, improved farming practices, market expansion, climate resilience measures, and stronger collaboration between the government and private sector to boost the sector’s potential. Apple farming in Mustang remains a vital yet vulnerable agricultural enterprise with opportunities for significant economic contributions if systemic issues are addressed.