PALPA: Production of oranges has increased this year in Palpa. Favorable atmosphere, expansion in orange farming and improvement in orange gardens have led to rise in productivity.
This year 6,975 metric tons of orange was produced from the commercial farming carried out in 20,800 ropanis of land in the district, according to the Agriculture Knowledge Center, Palpa. Kamal Ghimire of Rainadevi Chahara left his teaching job to farm orange. “I have been earning between one million to 1.5 million annually from orange farming,” he said.
The market is good for orange, you need to put a lot of effort and can utilize your barren land. Amalabas of Rainadevi Chahara, Jalpa of Purbakhola, Galdha of Nisdi, Khanichap of Bagnaskali and Mainagi of Ribdikot are the major pocket areas for orange farming in the district.
One area alone sells oranges worth 7 to 8 million rupees in a year. A large number of youths have been attracted towards orange farming, as it becomes the major cash crop of Palpa, says Krishna Bishnu Koirala, a local.
The agriculture centers including the agriculture knowledge center is playing an important role in promoting orange farming in the district. “Quality saplings, regular training to the farmers and technical support have led to a rise in production of orange,” said Bom Bahadur Thapa, the chief of the Orange Species Development Center.
Oranges produced in the district is sold at the district headquarters Tansen and neighboring Butwal and Pokhara cities. Farmers are selling orange for Rs 60 to 70 per kilogram.
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