Tanahun Farmers Achieve Record Orange Sales, Grossing NPR 455 Million This Season

Damouli. Bishwa Bahadur Adhikari of Umachok, Myagde Rural Municipality-2 in Tanahun, sold NPR 9 million worth of oranges this year. Adhikari, a former chairman of the District Development Committee Tanahun, expressed satisfaction with the orange farming.

Adhikari started commercial orange farming in 2052 BS by utilizing the sloped land of the village. He mentioned that contractors come directly to the orchard to purchase the oranges, indicating no issues with market access.

Similarly, farmer Dal Bahadur Thapa of Benikot, Byas Municipality-13, sold NPR 1.6 million worth of oranges this year. He stated that this year's sales were NPR 300,000 higher compared to the previous year.

Gir Bahadur, who returned from abroad and took up orange farming, reported selling NPR 350,000 worth of oranges this year. These are just a few examples; farmers in Tanahun have sold NPR 455 million worth of oranges this year. Last year, farmers in the district sold NPR 425 million worth of oranges.

Kiran Pariyar, Information Officer at the Agriculture Knowledge Center, informed that 5821.9 metric tons of oranges were sold this year. According to him, 11821.7 metric tons of oranges were produced in the district this year. Pariyar further stated that out of the 1670 hectares of orange farming area in the district, oranges were produced in 977 hectares.

The pocket areas for orange production include Dumrikharka, Dhadapani, Khalagaun, Jharpung in Aabukhaireni Rural Municipality; Chyachul, Uwathok, Mewapani, Pokharichhap in Ghiring Rural Municipality; Naram, Chhipchhipe, Lumring, Dagara in Devghat Rural Municipality; Akspangdi, Chambot, Kokhe in Bhimad Municipality; Bahupur, Umachok, Chhang in Myagde Rural Municipality; Archaldi, Dubung in Rishing Rural Municipality; Dharampani, Kamalbar, Kafalswara, Jharagaun, Baspani in Bandipur Rural Municipality; Tanhansur, Benikot in Byas Municipality; and Namsikot and Jyangladi in Shuklagandaki Municipality.

Furthermore, in the fiscal year 2080/81, orange production was valued at NPR 300 million. At that time, 3,750 metric tons of oranges were produced. Pariyar noted that the increase in orange production is due to the growing attraction towards orange farming in the district.

Most of the oranges produced in Tanahun are procured by traders from Kathmandu. Traders reach the orchards to purchase the oranges.

Besides Kathmandu, the oranges from the district are sold in places like Pokhara and Narayanghat. Traders reach the orchards to purchase oranges in most parts of the district.