Orange farming brings significant income to farmers in Bajura

Bajura: Paru Rokaya of Gaumul Rural Municipality-4 in Bajura has been earning substantial income from orange cultivation, transforming her agricultural livelihood.

In 2074 BS, she began cultivating oranges on seven ropanis of land previously used for grain crops. The orange trees started bearing fruit in 2080 BS, and she has since been earning a considerable income by selling the produce.

“There is a lot of land in the village. I had worked hard cultivating grain crops, but it was not even enough to sustain my family. Now, after cultivating oranges on all my land, I am earning good income,” she said. She also mentioned that the income from oranges has made it easier to support her family and send her children to higher education.

Rokaya added that she initially started orange cultivation on five to seven ropanis of land, but after poor grain harvests, she expanded the cultivation to all available land. Last year, transportation challenges delayed her oranges reaching Martadi, but now with road access to the village, she can sell her oranges on time in the market.

Since the oranges produced in the village are organic, they are fetching good prices. “Last year, even with the delay, I earned two to four lakh rupees. This year, having brought the oranges to the market on time, I expect to earn more than five to six lakh rupees,” she said.

Orange production is thriving in several municipalities, including Himali, Swamikartik Khapar, Jagannath, Budhinanda, Badimalika, Gaumul, Triveni, Budhiganga, Triveni, and Chhededaha. Jasiram Sahni, head of the Agricultural Knowledge Center Bajura, said that the center has consistently provided transportation subsidies to facilitate marketing of oranges produced in the district.