Kathmandu, Sept. 9 -- When Suresh Khatri of Kalanki was scrolling through Facebook on Monday morning, a notice about a week-long exhibition and sale of apples from Jumla caught his eye. He had never seen the region's apples being sold in Kathmandu before, and decided to go and try them for himself.

By Tuesday afternoon, Khatri was at the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) complex in Bhadrakali, where apples from Jumla were displayed for sale. After tasting several varieties, he bought two kilograms.

"I like Jumla's apples. I came because I prefer to support produce grown in our own country," he said. "Rather than buying imported apples, I think we should build a brand around our own products."

Prabha Baral, another visitor, bou...