BENI: Locals of Arbhalyang in Mangala Rural Municipality–4, Myagdi, have expanded commercial orange farming as an alternative to traditional grain crops.
Farmers who previously cultivated wheat, corn, and millet are now turning to oranges as a cash crop. Local resident Yogendra Man Sherchan said the shift toward orange cultivation has been encouraged by its relatively easy production process and the ability to sell the fruit directly from the orchard.
Sherchan has replaced millet and corn on about seven ropanis of land with orange trees. Of the 450 trees he planted, 150 have already begun producing fruit.
The move to orange farming—especially in fields lacking irrigation—has contributed significantly to household income. Most families in the Arvalyang settlement are now increasing their orange plantations, gradually transforming the area into a developing “orange village.”
Locals including Lalmati Roka, Prasar Kandel, Kaladhar Kandel, Kesman Sherchan, Padam Bahadur Roka, Yam Bahadur Roka, Bhabilal Kisan, Nandalal Bik and others have adopted orange cultivation as a commercial enterprise.
In recent years alone, villagers have planted around 2,000 new orange trees. The availability of a ready market and the practice of selling fruit directly from the orchard have further boosted interest in orange farming.
Leading farmer Lalmati Roka said 250 trees in his orchard are currently producing fruit, and he has planted 80 additional saplings.
According to Roka, traders visited the orchards this year and agreed to purchase the harvest on contract. “Last year, production was so high that branches broke under the weight of the fruit. We sold oranges at Rs 55 per kilo.
This year, we have agreed to sell a carat at Rs 1,500,” he said. Although production has declined slightly this season, his family earned Rs 400,000 from orange sales last year.
Farmers in the village have formed the Solighopte Farmers Group to support the expansion of commercial orange cultivation. However, the drying of both mature and newly planted trees has emerged as a major challenge.
Local farmer Prasar Kandel said the rural municipality has been requested to provide support for disease prevention and treatment.
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