Benikot farmers earn Rs. 20M from oranges

by Amarraj Naharki,Tanahun, Dec. 5: Benikot farmers of Byas Municipality-13 have succeeded in selling oranges worth more than Rs. 20 million this year alone. The good production in the orchards of hill villages this year, the traders coming to the fields itself, and the hard work of the farmers have taken Benikot's agricultural income to a new height. 

Benikot is now completely covered with oranges due to the rush of picking and sorting oranges. 

Fal Bahadur Thapa, a farmer who is the teacher of Siddhabeni Secondary School, said that oranges worth more than Rs. 20 million have been sold from Benikot alone. He said that he too has sold oranges worth Rs 1.65 million. 

According to Thapa, Kal Bahadur Rana has sold oranges worth Rs. 400,000 and Mansingh Thapa has sold oranges worth Rs. 210,000. Farmers with a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 800 plants are earning a good income this season. 

Thapa said, “The demand for oranges is high, contractors reach the fields themselves, there is no problem in selling.”

The orange orchard expanding campaign is also progressing rapidly in the district. According to the District Agricultural Development Office, Rs. 3 million has been allocated to manage the orange zone spread over 7,925 ropanis, and Rs. 700,000 has been allocated for the expansion of new orchards. So far, more than 600 farmers have benefited, while new plantations have been done in 43 ropanis, says office chief Gopal Sharma Lamichhane.

Last year alone, oranges worth Rs. 425 million were sold from Tanahun. The office has stated that production has increased due to greening disease control, fertilizer distribution, replanting and orchard management programmes. 

Benikot oranges, which reach big markets like Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara, are becoming more popular due to their quality. Although the road is risky, Tanahun is now considered a potential ‘orange hub’ of the province due to the enthusiasm of farmers and government cooperation. Sharma said, “The hills are truly orange now full of the glow of production, income and potential.”