Orange production declines in Syangja

By Our Correspondent

Waling Nov. 26: Orange production has dropped in Syangja this year. It is estimated that orange production will decrease by about 25 per cent in the district this year as compared to last year. While around 22,000 tonnes of oranges were produced last year, it is initially estimated that around 17,000 tonnes of oranges will be produced this year.

Madhav Lamsal, chief of the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project, Orange Super Zone Project, said that even though the production of oranges is reduced, the price will not vary much.

He said, “This year, oranges have been produced thinly, but the size of the fruit is large, so there is no difference in price.”

Lamsal said that it is natural for the production of orange to decline.

“One year the orange plant gives more fruit and another year it gives lower yield. There was a decrease in orange production because the gardens were not properly managed,” he said.

According to him, lack of proper management of gardens is the problem in orange cultivation in most areas of the district.

He said that the farmers of Syangja earned an income of Rs. 1 billion from oranges last year.

He said that the income will diminish this year and the details will be prepared only at the end of the season.

The oranges are cultivated in an area of 2,200 hectares throughout the district. Among them, there are 1,300 hectares of productive gardens. There are 3,500 commercial orange farmers in the district.

About 12,000 household’s orange farmers across the district have more than 3,000 small and large orange orchards.

The Prime Minister Orange Super Zone Programme, Syangja has also been playing an important role in increasing production in the district as the district has a suitable environment for orange production.

The super zone project is being implemented covering 17 wards of Putalibazar, Bhirkot, Waling Municipality and Arjun Rural Municipality.

Lamsal said that the number of farmers cultivating oranges has increased after the programme was implemented by registering cooperatives, groups and private farms.

Putalibazar, Waling, Bhirkot and Galyang Municipalities along with Phedikhola, Biruwa, Arjunchaupari, Andhikhola and Harinas Rural Municipality are pocket areas of orange production.

Oranges have been cultivated in all municipalities of the district except Chapakot Municipality.

Farmers said that demand for oranges produced in Syangja is high as they are juicy and tasty and they are being supplied to Pokhara, Butwal and other places.