This year, 4.4 million more oranges have been produced compared to last year. The increase in production is due to the absence of the problem of the Ausa insect this year.
What you should know
This year, Baglung has produced oranges worth Rs 269 million. The production has increased as farmers' interest in orange farming has increased.
This year, orange production has increased by Rs 4.4 million compared to last year. This year, production has increased due to the absence of the problem of the ausa insect.
According to the Agricultural Knowledge Center, orange production worth Rs 264.6 million was last year. Recently, farmers have started cultivating sandalwood in barren fields, and annual production has started increasing, said Kumarpun Magar, head of the Knowledge Center. He said that good orange production has been seen in villages that have been emptied due to migration.
Chief Pun Magar said that orange cultivation has started these days in fields that used to grow food crops such as cassava, corn and wheat. He says that farmers are attracted to orange cultivation because it can produce good products with less effort. Pun Magar informed that 4,169 metric tons of oranges have been produced this year. He said that farmers have sold them for a minimum of Rs 65 per kg.
He said, "Recently, many farmers have been attracted to orange farming. Oranges have now started growing on previously barren land. The area under orange farming is increasing every year. Millet, corn, wheat and sorghum fields are now covered with orange trees. There is increasing interest in orange farming as it is not much hassle and can be produced with less effort."
In 2076 BS, orange farming was practiced on an area of 585 hectares, which has increased to 664 hectares so far. The Knowledge Center has stated that orange production is currently taking place on 381 hectares. Orange production is highest in Bihun of Kathekhola Rural Municipality in the district, Sigana, Tityang, Bhakunde of Jaimini Municipality, Binamare and Damek of Jaimini Municipality.
Farmer Pashupati Kandel of Kathekhola Rural Municipality-6 said that he sold oranges worth Rs 600,000 last year, but this year the production has increased, so he gave the orchard to the trader for Rs 800,000. He said that the production was good because of the timely rains for oranges. Farmer Kandel says that last year, the Ausa insect destroyed oranges worth about Rs 100,000.
Another farmer from the same village, Loknath Kandel, informed that he sold oranges worth Rs 1.3 million last year, but this year he sold them for Rs 1.5 million. He said that the increase in production was due to the increase in fruit-bearing plants and good weather.
