HIGH DENSITY PLANTING OF FRUIT CROPS IN NEPAL
ABSTRACT
Nepal’s diversified topography provides a variety of microclimates, from tropical to alpine, which promote the growth of numerous fruit trees. This favorable region, with its mild climate and enough rainfall, is perfect for intensive fruit production using high-density planting (HDP). HDP has the potential to enhance food security and nutrition in Nepal, which currently ranks 69th on the Global Hunger Index. AgroManang Private Limited in Bhartang, Manang, has started HDP for apples, planting 6,500 trees with 3m x 1m spacing. The National Citrus Research Program in Dhankuta conducted research adopting HDP on Mandarin Oranges with highest productivity of 18.1 ton/ha at 3.5m × 3m spacing. Also, demonstration plots for HDP of mango (cv. Amrapali and Mallika) were recorded in Khajura, Banke. HDP is not commonly used in other fruits such as banana, guava, litchi, pomegranate etc. due to farmers’ lack of awareness, technical expertise, and financial resources. Furthermore, establishing HDP orchards necessitates substantial investment and availability of high-quality planting materials, infrastructure, and other inputs. Adoption is hampered further by pest and disease susceptibility, as well as market access constraints. Resolving these challenges is critical for improving nutrition, food security, and farmer incomes in Nepal.