Mustang’s Apple Harvest Season Begins as Farmers Prepare for a New Crop

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Mustang’s Apple Harvest Season Begins as Farmers Prepare for a New Crop

Mustang’s Apple Harvest Season Begins as Farmers Prepare for a New Crop

Ecosphere News Correspondent 2026-08-24 20:41:34

Mustang, Nepal - August 24, 2026: Apple harvesting has begun in Nepal’s Himalayan district of Mustang, marking the start of one of the region’s most important agricultural seasons.
According to the information accompanying the photograph, a district-level coordination meeting has set different harvesting dates according to apple varieties. The ‘Hybrid King Rot’ variety has been permitted for harvesting from Bhadra 15, while local apple varieties can be harvested from Bhadra 25.
The photograph shows a farmer surrounded by a large quantity of freshly harvested red apples, with Mustang’s rugged Himalayan landscape visible in the background. The scene reflects the growing importance of commercial apple cultivation to mountain livelihoods and the local agricultural economy.
Mustang has increasingly expanded high-density and hybrid apple production alongside traditional varieties. Recent reporting has documented the expansion of apple farming in Upper Mustang, including the cultivation of both hybrid and indigenous varieties.
The district has also become an important apple-producing area of Nepal. In the 2025 production season, Mustang was reported to have produced more than 7,600 metric tonnes of apples, with local and high-density hybrid varieties together generating more than Rs 1 billion in estimated value.
The timing of harvesting is particularly important for maintaining fruit quality and the reputation of Mustang apples. Earlier reporting from the district has highlighted efforts to prevent premature harvesting and ensure that apples reach appropriate maturity, sweetness and colour before entering the market.
Apple cultivation is also undergoing significant change in Mustang. Recent reporting from Upper Mustang indicates that farmers are increasingly planting high-density varieties, while changing climatic conditions-including rising temperatures and declining snowfall in some areas—are influencing where and how apples can be cultivated.
For Mustang’s farmers, the harvest represents more than the collection of fruit: it is a crucial period for household income, local trade and the agricultural economy of one of Nepal’s most distinctive mountain regions.
Photo: Jina Tamang
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