Gulmi farmers produce oranges worth over Rs. 240 million

By Ramesh Bishwokarma,Gulmi, Feb. 26: This year, Gulmi district has produced oranges worth over Rs. 240 million. According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Gulmi, the total value of orange production this year amounts to Rs. 245 million.

Compared to the previous year, orange production has increased. Last year, the district produced oranges worth Rs. 230 million, of which Rs. 120 million worth were exported to other districts, said Naresh Dhital, chief of the centre.  This year, exports have risen to Rs. 130 million, he added. 

The increase in production is attributed to new trees beginning to bear fruit, timely application of fertiliser and irrigation by farmers, and prompt technical consultations and treatment of problems, said Ganga Pokharel, chief of the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernisation Project Gulmi.  Over 95 per cent of orange trees in the district consist of biju trees, which are known for bearing fruit for a long period.

Farmers in the region traditionally cultivate oranges, but some have reported issues such as root and stem rot. 

The district has implemented the Citrus Fruit Zone Programme in 37 wards across 12 municipalities. Under the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernisation Project, certain areas have been designated for organised orange farming, including Purkotdaha in Madane Rural Municipality, Pipal Dhara in Dhurkot Rural Municipality, and Limgha in Satyawati Rural Municipality.

To ensure the sustainable development of citrus fruits, the Agriculture Knowledge Centre has started identifying and commercialising different orange varieties. 

Efforts are being made to increase productivity through orchard management. The Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernisation Project has been conducting initiatives such as orchard improvement, fertiliser management, irrigation, and tree pruning.

In Gulmi, the key pocket areas for orange production include Nayagaun and Pipal Dhara in Dhurkot Rural Municipality, Lumcha, Shringha in Chhatrakot, Bhadgaun in Resunga Municipality, Musidanda and Chautara in Rurukshetra, Arlangkot in Musikot Municipality, Gaudakot in Gulmi Durbar, Arbani and Jaykhani in Kaligandaki, Remi in Chandrakot, and Bhanbhane in Satyawati and Madane.