Orange production in Gorkha rises by 15 percent

GORKHA: Orange production in Gorkha district has increased by around 15 percent this year, driven by favorable weather and the maturation of orchards planted in previous years.

According to the National Agriculture Modernization Program (NAMP) Implementation Unit, the district produced 3,187 metric tons of oranges this year. Information Officer Puja Regmi said farmers earned approximately Rs 220 million from orange sales, while an additional Rs 15 million was generated from lemon sales.

She noted that overall orange production has risen by 15–20 percent, boosting farmers’ morale. “Production increased this year due to favorable weather conditions and because orange trees planted in earlier years have started yielding,” Regmi said.

In comparison, the district produced 1,900 metric tons of oranges last year, 1,600 metric tons in fiscal year 2080/81, and 1,800 metric tons in 2079/80, she added.

The Agricultural Knowledge Center has also confirmed the increase in production. Information Officer Suman Bhattarai said orange output across the district rose by around 15 percent this year, attributing the growth to suitable climatic conditions and farmers’ efforts, supported by technical assistance from the office.

The NAMP Implementation Unit has been promoting orange cultivation through the Orange Zone Program in the district. According to unit chief Purna Dhungana, all wards of Gandaki, Sahidalkhan, and Bhimsenthapa rural municipalities, as well as Gorkha Municipality, wards 9 and 10 of Palungtar Municipality, and wards 2, 4, and 5 of Siranchowk Rural Municipality, have been declared orange zones. About 10 percent of total orange production comes from areas outside these zones.

To boost production, programs such as orchard management and plantation, area expansion, small-scale irrigation development, technology exhibitions, and distribution of small agricultural machinery have been implemented, Dhungana said.

Oranges are mainly grown in Gandaki, Bhimsenthapa, Sahidalkhan, and Siranchowk rural municipalities, Gorkha and Palungtar municipalities, and Kasigaun of Dharche in northern Gorkha. Major orange pocket areas include Tanglichowk, Bhumlichowk, Phalate, Fujel, and parts of Sahidalkhan, as well as Tandrang in Bhimsenthapa, Bagdanda and Shera in Palungtar, and Taple, Nareshwor, Finam, and Bhattabensi in Gorkha Municipality.

Orange cultivation currently covers about 1,097 hectares in the district, involving around 300 farmers, who primarily grow local orange varieties.