Oranges still on plants in Paudel’s orchard

By Our Correspondent,Phidim, Apr. 2: Noticing ripe oranges in a garden in April is a rare scene. Many may not believe their eyes when they see ripe oranges in the garden of a farmer in Phidim Municipality-2, Panchthar.

But Dhruba Paudel and his wife Shanta in Phidim Municipality-2 still feed the visitors fresh oranges from their garden. 

Oranges can be seen shining in 30 of the 100 orange trees in Paudel's garden. He said that based on personal research and experience, he was able to keep the fruits on plants for so long.

“The amount of fertiliser, water and medicine should be adjusted according to the plant's needs. I have never used chemical fertilisers and pesticides in the garden. When diseases and insects occur, I mix asuro, cow urine and titepati liquid and use them. I arrange irrigation to maintain moisture in the soil.'' said Paudel.

Kesar Bahadur Magrati, crop protection officer of Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Panchthar, said that keeping oranges on the plant until April would affect the flowering and fruit bearing for the next year.

According to him, the special time for oranges is the month of November. Ripe oranges from this time can be kept on the trees till January.

"It's not a small idea to keep oranges on the plant until April; I was surprised when I saw fruits on the plants," Magrati said.

The oranges kept on the plants are juicier and tastier than those picked in the season. Oranges, which were sold at Rs. 200 per kg during the season, are now being sold at Rs. 300. The oranges produced by Paudel are sold in the local Phidim market.