Orange farmers sold the oranges directly from the tree at a rate of Rs 70 per kilogram under contract.
What you should know
Oranges worth more than Rs 100 million have been sold from Bhirkot-7 in Syangja this year alone.
Orange orchards in various neighborhoods of the ward have brought in over Rs 100 million to the village. Ward Chairman Tara Aryal informed that oranges were sold from ward no. 7 this year alone, based on the data collected from orange farmers in the ward. He said that local orange farmers from neighborhoods such as Jimire, Lolunga, Balmata, Tilahar, Pangsang, Pasindanda, Koldanda, Dhobadi and others have managed to earn a minimum of Rs 100,000 to a maximum of Rs 3.5 million.
Orange farmers sold their oranges directly from the tree at a rate of Rs 70 per kilogram under contract. 'Based on the quantity and price sold by orange farmers, it was found that they earned over Rs 100 million from the sale of oranges,' he said. 'Since the process of expanding orange orchards in the ward is ongoing, the income will automatically increase in the coming years as production increases.'
After the good income from oranges, the trend of expanding orange gardens in fields that grow millet and corn is increasing. The garden was expanded three years ago in Bhirkot-7, which is a pocket area for oranges. Fifteen thousand 500 saplings were planted in an additional 500 ropani area to add to the income. He said that orange garden management camps, equipment transfer, facilitation and consultation on disease and pest control were provided to attract farmers here to orange farming.
The oranges produced here are consumed in local markets including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Narayangadh. Aryal says that there is no market problem as traders currently take them from the plantation at a rate of Rs 70 per kg, including wages and transportation.
Orange farmer Devi Lal Aryal of Bhirkot-7 Jimire has sold oranges worth more than Rs 1.5 million this year. He said that oranges are currently being sold from the orchard at a rate of Rs 70 per kg. Lal Prasad Koirala, 71, of Lolunga in the same ward, also sold oranges worth over Rs 1.5 million this year. Most of the oranges from the orange orchards in various neighborhoods here have been sold, while some are in the process of being sold.
Oranges worth Rs 1.32 billion have been produced from Syangja this year. According to Pratibha Budhathoki Chhetri, Information Officer of the National Agricultural Modernization Program, Program Implementation Unit, Syangja, a total of 23,238 metric tons of oranges have been produced in Syangja this year. Oranges worth Rs 20 million more have been produced in Syangja this year compared to last year. Last year, 20,084 metric tons of oranges were produced.
