4 January 2020, Palpa
Orange production has increased in Palpa this year. It is said that suitable environment,enlargement in farming of oranges and advance improvement in orange gardens have led to rise in productivity.
According to the Agriculture Knowledge Center, Palpa, the respective year 6,975 metric tons of orange was produced from the commercial farming carried out in 20,800 ropanis of land in the district.
Local Kamal Ghimire of Rainadevi Chahara have been earning between one million to 1.5 million annually from orange farming leaving his teaching job to farm orange- he shared.
Some major pocket areas for orange farming in the district includes amalabas of Rainadevi Chahara, Jalpa of Purbakhola, Galdha of Nisdi, Khanichap of Bagnaskali and Mainagi of Ribdikot.
One area alone sells oranges worth 7 to 8 million rupees in a year. A large number of youths have been attracted towards orange farming, as it becomes the major cash crop of Palpa, says Krishna Bishnu Koirala, a local.
Similarly as per Bom Bahadur Thapa, the chief of the Orange Species Development Center, the agriculture centers including the agriculture knowledge center is playing significant role in promoting orange farming in the district. “Quality saplings, regular training to the farmers and technical support have led to a rise in production of orange,” he further added.
Oranges produced in the district is sold at the district headquarters Tansen and neighboring Butwal and Pokhara cities. Farmers are selling orange for Rs 60 to 70 per kilogram.
