Farmers of Tanahun earn crores from orange sales

DAMAULI: Farmers in Tanahun district have earned crores of rupees from orange sales this year, reflecting the growing attraction toward commercial orange farming.

Bishwa Bahadur Adhikari of Umachowk, Myagde Rural Municipality-2, sold oranges worth Rs 9 million this year. Adhikari, a former chairman of the District Development Committee Tanahun, said he is satisfied with orange farming.

He began commercial orange farming in 2052 BS by making productive use of the village’s sloping land. Stating that contractors visit the orchard directly to purchase oranges, he said there are no market-related problems.

Similarly, Dal Bahadur Thapa of Benikot, Byas Municipality-13, sold oranges worth Rs 300,000 this year, compared to Rs 160,000 last year.

Another farmer, Gir Bahadur, who returned from abroad and started orange farming, sold oranges worth Rs 350,000 this year.

These are just a few examples. Overall, farmers in Tanahun sold oranges worth Rs 455 million this year, up from Rs 425 million last year.

According to Information Officer Kiran Pariyar of the Agricultural Knowledge Center, 5,821.9 metric tons of oranges were sold this year, while total production reached 11,821.7 metric tons. Oranges were cultivated on 1,670 hectares of land in the district, with production recorded on 977 hectares.

Major orange-producing pocket areas in the district include Dumrikharka, Dandapani, Kholagaun and Jharpung in Aanbukhaireni Rural Municipality; Chhyachul, Ubathok, Mewapani and Pokharichap in Ghiring Rural Municipality; Naram, Chipchipe, Lumring and Dagara in Devghat Rural Municipality; Aksapangdi, Chambot and Kokhe in Bhimad Municipality; Bahapur, Umachok and Chhang in Myagde Rural Municipality; Archaldi and Dubung in Rishing Rural Municipality; Dharampani, Kamalbari, Kafalswara, Jhargaun and Baspani in Bandipur Rural Municipality; Tanahunsur and Benikot in Byas Municipality; and Namsikot and Jangladi in Shuklagandaki Municipality.

In the fiscal year 2080/81, oranges worth Rs 300 million were produced, with a total output of 3,750 metric tons. Pariyar said orange production has increased with the growing interest among farmers in orange cultivation in the district.

Most of the oranges produced in Tanahun are purchased by traders from Kathmandu, who often visit the orchards directly. Besides Kathmandu, Tanahun oranges are also sold in Pokhara and Narayangadh. In most parts of the district, traders themselves go to the orchards to buy the produce.