The Mustang district of Nepal is famous for its fruit production. A village in the district, named Marpha, is the epicenter of the production of apples in the country. Most of the area is high in altitude and very dry, almost desert like and because of this, it has very different vegetation in comparison to the rest of Nepal. Commercial fruit growing is not a traditional form of agriculture in Nepal, but apple, pear, peach and plum trees are naturally plentiful in this region and can be used to produce brandy. Fruit brandy is a type of liquor that is made by fermenting fruit juice. It typically contains 40-45% alcohol. This product could be consumed over ice or used in a mixed drink.
In Nepal, these fruit trees grow well naturally that fruit often goes unused and rots at the base of the trees. These trees in the Mustang district also have a high rate of yield. As of 1997 the yield of Nepalese apple, pear, peach and plum trees were 9.51, 11.48, 7.26, and 7.03 Metric tonnes per hectare, respectively.[1] This would lead to a more than satisfactory work to production ratio. In Nepal, it appears that these brandies are only produced in low-tech facilities for local consumption but there is significant potential to commercialize these products for export.
Financing from a NGO, government grant/loan or private investor would be required to cover the start up costs, such as the planting of rows of trees, equipment, wages and a production plant. There are however some drawbacks this project. There could quite easily be a loss of cultural traditions if this venture were successful. If the company grew sizeably, much of Marpha and the surrounding area would become dependent on the production of the fruit brandy and many people may stop working traditional jobs to find more gainful employment for the company. Regardless of how the business comes about and operates, it would create a sustainable income source to the area, plenty of jobs and extra tourism.
[1] Lok Nath Devkota, “Decidous fruit production in Asia and the Pacific…,” FAO CORPRATE DOCUMENT REPOSITORY, FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, 1999, http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/ab985e/ab985e09.htm
In Nepal, these fruit trees grow well naturally that fruit often goes unused and rots at the base of the trees. These trees in the Mustang district also have a high rate of yield. As of 1997 the yield of Nepalese apple, pear, peach and plum trees were 9.51, 11.48, 7.26, and 7.03 Metric tonnes per hectare, respectively.[1] This would lead to a more than satisfactory work to production ratio. In Nepal, it appears that these brandies are only produced in low-tech facilities for local consumption but there is significant potential to commercialize these products for export.
Financing from a NGO, government grant/loan or private investor would be required to cover the start up costs, such as the planting of rows of trees, equipment, wages and a production plant. There are however some drawbacks this project. There could quite easily be a loss of cultural traditions if this venture were successful. If the company grew sizeably, much of Marpha and the surrounding area would become dependent on the production of the fruit brandy and many people may stop working traditional jobs to find more gainful employment for the company. Regardless of how the business comes about and operates, it would create a sustainable income source to the area, plenty of jobs and extra tourism.
[1] Lok Nath Devkota, “Decidous fruit production in Asia and the Pacific…,” FAO CORPRATE DOCUMENT REPOSITORY, FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, 1999, http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/ab985e/ab985e09.htm