JUMLA, Nov 1: The mid-western hilly district of Jumla produced over 20,000 metric tonnes of apples this year, exporting half of the produce – more than 9000 metric tonnes – worth 614 million rupees.

According to the Jumla Agriculture Development Office, farmers produced apples on cultivable lands covering over 4,250 hectares across all eight local municipalities.

Chief of Office Balakram Devkota said the seasonal fruits were transported out of the district mainly by land transport, a tiny bit of 74 metric tonnes by air. More than 800 traders were said to be involved in the Jumla apple trade.

Devkota said that the farmers from Jumla sold their apples at an average rate of Rs 60 per kilogram.