Meet Shrestha couple enjoying orange plantation leaving politics behind

By Amar Raj Naharki, Tanahun, Dec.28: Sukanarayan Shrestha, a resident of Jamune, Myagde Rural Municipality -2 in Tanahun, has left politics and is enjoying the agricultural profession.

Shrestha, who left politics completely and joined the agricultural profession, has earned both fame and fortune from orange farming.

He has been making Rs 7 million annually by selling oranges cultivated commercially at Umachowk, in Myagde rural municipality-2.

Shrestha, who was elected as the chairman of Jamune village in the election held in 2054 (1998), is currently satisfied with his agricultural career.

The orange garden is spread over an area of 36 ropani of land.

Shrestha said that there are 1,000 orange trees, which were bought from the garden by the contractor for Rs 4 million this year.

There is less fruit this year due to drought at time when organs were blooming.

Shrestha said that last year oranges worth Rs 7 million were sold from the garden, but this year the income shrank due to the decrease in production.

The orange tree has become likened to the golden tree for Shrestha as it is yielding handsome returns.

Farmer Shrestha said, "The oranges that were first grown as a passion have now turned into gold". Though he is less involved in politics he is busy enjoying his orange farm.

Chairperson of the Myagde Rural Municipality Shree Prasad Shrestha said that farmers have become exemplary in the whole district.

He said, "Shrestha showed that one can do wonders if skills and hard work are put into it. He has become a source of inspiration for all because he has succeeded in making a lucrative income from orange farming."

Not only Shrestha has benefitted from orange farmland but has inspired everyone in his area to do the same. Not a single plot is left vacant in the landmark of Uma Chowk. There are orange groves everywhere.

Farmer Shrestha said that continuously engaged in commercial orange cultivation since the year 2003.

The income graph of Shrestha, who initially made Rs 22,000, has kept surging to Rs 1 million and is now up to Rs 7 million.

He said that the contractor picks oranges from the garden itself relieving Shrestha to search customers.

He said that every year the same businessman takes the contract for the garden.

Shrestha said that approximately 1.8 lakhs is spent while growing oranges and is the first to grow oranges in the area.

Farmer Shrestha said, "Other villagers are now following my path and have got into orange farming. There is a vast majority of land and it is good to use it and earn from it. Many villagers are doing the same."