A few years back, farmers used to sell the oranges growing on the trees to middlemen without picking them, and they would get paid at the rate of Rs 1 for 15 oranges. The growers also consumed their orange harvests themselves or gave them away as gifts to their relatives due to the low market prices. However, with the construction of roads and proliferation of cooperatives, markets have expanded for orange farmers and they are now making good money.  

Farmers said that they received Rs 50 for a kg of oranges this year. According to the District Agriculture Development Office, orange groves cover 600 hectares in the district and the fruit is commercially produced in 18 VDCs. More than 3,000 households are involved in growing oranges.

Ajay Adhikari, a horticulture development officer, said that more and more farmers were being attracted towards orange farming as the fruit had started getting high prices. He added that the district was witnessing an expansion of orange groves by 20 hectares annually since the past few years as all the villages are connected by roads and their products have direct access to the market.

Last year, farmers of Banskharka VDC sold oranges worth Rs 25 million, and this year they expect business to swell to Rs 30 million. “Due to road access and expansion of orange groves, we are receiving better prices,” said Jagat Bahadur Khatri, president of the Banskharka Orange Producers’ Cooperatives. Banskharka is the largest orange producing VDC in the district.

Daupur, the second highest producer of oranges in the district, has also seen a significant rise in production. Around 150 households are involved in orange farming, and the area where the fruit is grown has spread to 60 hectares. Dataram Chapagain, a local producer, said that Daupur sold oranges worth Rs 10 million this year.

Farmers said that the expansion of cooperatives had made it easier for them to sell their farm products. The cooperatives deal with prices and markets, saving farmers a lot of hassle, said Bhumi Raj Sharma, another local. “As there are no middlemen nowadays and the cooperatives are involved in helping farmers, producers are receiving good prices for their oranges.”

Another VDC Kurgha also produced oranges worth Rs 10 million this season. “Until a few years ago, we used to sell oranges at the rate of Rs 1 per 15 units; but nowadays, we sell them at Rs 50 per kg,” said Radha Chettri, a local farmer at Kurgha village.  

A study has shown that the promotion of orange production in Parbat district can reduce the seasonal migration of people for employment opportunities.