Oranges sold directly from trees in Ichchhakamana

KATHMANDU: The orange orchards in the upper region of Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality are currently abundant with ripe fruit.

Traders have flocked to the orchards to purchase the oranges directly.

Ram Prasad Bohara, a farmer from Tamim in Ward 5 of Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality, shared that traders are buying oranges directly from the trees at a rate of 100 rupees per kilogram. He said, “There is no market issue for selling oranges. They are being sold right from the trees.”

Another farmer from the same village, Haribahadur Nepal, also stated that there is no issue finding a market for the oranges. Traders are coming to buy them directly from the orchards.

Despite receiving good prices for the oranges, he mentioned that the production has decreased due to the increasing number of dying trees in recent years.

Agricultural technician Ashish Tripathi from Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality confirmed that the oranges from this area are highly valued for their taste, which has helped maintain demand.

He mentioned that orange cultivation takes place in various locations such as Bharaang in Ward 1, Tallo Kaule in Ward 2, Tokdang Dham, Majhgaon, Siranggaon, Tallo Dude, Upper Duder in Ward 3, Tamim, Thangerang, Nepedanda in Ward 5, and Dhal in Ward 6.

The oranges produced in Ichchhakamana are sold in markets like Muglin, Kurintar, and Fisling. Wholesale oranges are transported to various cities, including Narayangadh, Kathmandu, and Pokhara, from the vegetable and fruit markets in Fisling.

Similar news: Market hassles end for orange farmers in Myagdi

According to the agricultural department of the village municipality, oranges are cultivated on 80 hectares of land in Ichchhakamana.

The municipality plans to expand orange farming to an additional 15 to 20 hectares in the upcoming fiscal year. There are also plans to provide subsidies for seeds to farmers.

Last year, farmers in Ichhakamana earned 8 million rupees from orange sales, and similar earnings are expected for this fiscal year.

Rural Municipality Chair Dan Bahadur Gurung mentioned that the municipality is offering various supports, including soil testing, distribution of lime, seed distribution, and technical services to assist farmers. The municipality has also been providing farmer-level orchard management training and irrigation assistance.

Last year, the municipality organized an orange festival in Majhgaon, Ward 3, which showcased the region’s oranges. Chair Gurung remarked, “While our oranges have been sold in shops along the highway and in various cities, people didn’t know they were from Ichchhakamana . Now, there is growing recognition and demand for Ichhakamana’s oranges.”

To further support the commercialization of farmers’ produce, the municipality has constructed a vegetable collection center and a cold storage facility.