Pokhara, Magh 22 – This year, Gandaki Province has produced oranges worth NPR 4.17 billion, according to preliminary data from the Directorate of Agricultural Development. A total of 66,578 metric tons of oranges were produced across the province. Agricultural economist Manoj Paudel from the directorate informed that oranges were cultivated on 5,703 hectares of land in nine districts of the province.
"Based on the average price per kilogram that farmers receive, orange production has exceeded NPR 4 billion this year," he said. "Syangja alone accounted for the highest production, with oranges worth NPR 1.71 billion."
According to Paudel, the breakdown of orange production by district is as follows: Tanahun produced oranges worth NPR 642 million, Gorkha NPR 402 million, Parbat NPR 383.6 million, Myagdi NPR 342.1 million, Baglung NPR 264.6 million, Kaski NPR 259.6 million, Nawalpur NPR 133.9 million, and Lamjung NPR 30 million.
This year, oranges were cultivated on 1,950 hectares in Syangja, 968 hectares in Tanahun, 746 hectares in Gorkha, 465 hectares in Parbat, 425 hectares in Myagdi, 377 hectares in Baglung, 541 hectares in Kaski, 161 hectares in Nawalpur, and 80 hectares in Lamjung.
The directorate reported an 11% increase in orange production this year. Two years ago, the total production was 50,850 metric tons, which has now increased to 66,578 metric tons.
The area dedicated to orange cultivation has been expanding annually. Syangja, which produces the most oranges in the country, consistently contributes a significant share of the total production. However, Mustang and Manang districts in Gandaki Province do not cultivate oranges. The total value of orange production was calculated based on the average price of NPR 67 per kilogram that farmers receive, Paudel noted. Although prices start low at the beginning of the season, farmers can increase the value by storing the oranges in cold storage and selling them later.
The average price of oranges also varies by district. The directorate mentioned that it's difficult to account for the exact sales prices once the oranges reach the market from the farmers' orchards. The total provincial production is calculated based on reports and data analysis submitted by each district. The increase in production is attributed to new trees bearing fruit, expansion of cultivation areas, and better orchard management.
Apart from Mustang and Manang, orange cultivation covers a total of 8,516 hectares in the remaining nine districts of the province. Orange farmers continue to face challenges such as pest infestations, lack of grafted saplings, orchard management issues, safe storage, transportation, and market access. Diseases causing tree death and pests like scale insects have also harmed orange cultivation.
To promote the expansion and commercialization of orange farming, programs like "Super Zone," "Zone," "Pocket," and "Block" have been implemented. Some local municipalities in Baglung, Parbat, and Myagdi have been designated as orange "Zones."
The "Orange Zone" includes villages such as Bihu and Sigana in Baglung, Banskharka, Salija, and Lekhphant in Parbat, and Baskuna in Myagdi. In Syangja, an "Orange Super Zone" program is in place. Initially launched in a few local wards, this program has since been expanded to the entire district.
Villages like Karendanda, Jaisidanda, Rangkola, and Arjunchaupati in Syangja are well-known for orange farming. Similarly, Myagde Rural Municipality in Tanahun and Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality in Gorkha are also prominent orange-producing areas. The oranges produced here are primarily consumed in urban areas within the province, such as Pokhara.
Traders also transport the oranges to markets in Narayangadh, Kathmandu, and other places. According to leading orange farmer Mekh Bahadur Khatri from Banskharka, Jaljala Rural Municipality-1, Parbat, NPR 184.4 million worth of oranges were produced in Banskharka alone this year.
Out of 1,500 ropani of land dedicated to orange farming in the area, there are 26,706 fruit-bearing trees and 24,445 growing trees, he mentioned. With a total of 51,151 trees, production is expected to double in a few years, reaching around NPR 400 million. Leading farmer Jat Bahadur Khatri’s orchard alone yields oranges worth NPR 3.5 million annually from 25 ropani of land.
Similarly, leading farmers Shanta Bahadur Chhintel and Hem Bahadur Armaja produce oranges worth NPR 2.3 million and NPR 1.9 million annually, respectively. Tej Bahadur Khatri and Nar Bahadur Paija run orange nurseries.
"Commercial orange farming has transformed the lives of farmers in Banskharka. Some farmers earn between NPR 500,000 and NPR 4 million annually from selling oranges," Mekh Bahadur Khatri said. He added that oranges from Banskharka are transported to Pokhara, Muglin, Narayangadh, Kathmandu, and other areas.
According to him, apart from some areas in Malgaun and Ghumaune Tal in Jaljala-1, most of Banskharka is involved in orange farming. He mentioned that orange trees were first seen around 1997/98 BS in Bazar Mare and Bir Mare areas, and over time, orange farming expanded. Orange cultivation began in Banskharka after the Agricultural Development Bank started providing loans to farmers in 2028 BS.
Farmers in Banskharka began commercial orange farming around 2052/53 BS after road access to Pokhara was developed. Most of the 239 households in Banskharka are involved in orange farming, and farmers have stopped considering alternatives to orange cultivation.
Gandaki Province’s Minister for Agriculture, Land Management, and Cooperatives, Padma Ji C. Shrestha, stated that the provincial government is supporting the expansion of orange pocket areas. "The government has introduced a plan to provide up to 50% subsidies for skill and technology transfer to farmers engaged in orange farming," he said. RSS
