TEHRATHUM: Farmers in Tehrathum district are celebrating a significant increase in the price of oranges, which has tripled after two months of the season, all thanks to the modern cold storage facility.

Initially priced at Rs 60 per kg, oranges stored in the Myanglung Cold Store for preservation now fetch a remarkable Rs 200 per kg.

The cold store, boasting a capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes, has been operational for several years, thanks to financial assistance of Rs 30 million from the Koshi Province government, in collaboration with the Myanglung municipality and Kiyachu Agriculture Cooperatives.

Local farmer Menuka Kumari Shrestha from Myanglung municipality-2 expressed joy at the substantial increase in earnings, sharing that the oranges are now fetching three times more money than their original price in the local market. Farmers are only paying Rs 2.50 per kg for utilizing the storage facility.

“In the past, oranges were either unsold during winter or sold at significantly lower prices, around Rs 50 per kg,” shared Shrestha. “Now, we are delighted to see oranges being sold at triple the price.”

Motiram Tumbahangphe from Myanglung-2 recalled initial fears about storing oranges in the cold store due to lack of experience. However, with proper attention to cutting and labeling, the stored oranges remained fresh and tasty.

Cold store manager Kumari Limbu highlighted ongoing efforts to educate farmers about the benefits of the facility, as many are still unaware of its advantages. Currently, the cold store houses 3,000 kg of kiwi, 2,000 kg of oranges, with plans underway to store potato seedlings as well.

Both sellers and consumers are delighted by the availability of oranges even during the spring season, marking a successful outcome for the local agricultural community.