Humnath Lamichhane, a leading farmer from Pande Thok, Waling Municipality-5, has successfully sold oranges directly from his orchard this year. He made a deal with Akista Nepal Pvt. Ltd. in Kathmandu to purchase the oranges produced on his farm, which has significantly eased the process of selling them. This collaboration between Pitlek Kalika Agriculture Farm and Akista Nepal Pvt. Ltd. has streamlined the marketing of the oranges produced in the area.
Lamichhane explained, “This year, we sold the oranges at a rate of 65 rupees per kilogram according to our agreement with the company. The company sent workers with a vehicle to collect the oranges, load them, and send them to the market. This made the whole process hassle-free, as we didn’t need to search for buyers.” He added that the trust in the company made the whole process reliable, and not just his oranges, but those of his neighbors were also sent through this arrangement.
So far, Lamichhane has sold 60 quintals of oranges at the agreed rate. “I have already sent 60 quintals to Kathmandu, and there are still three to four quintals left, which I plan to send soon,” he said. He has earned 390,000 rupees from the oranges sold, with an additional 25,000 to 30,000 rupees’ worth of oranges still to be sold.
Lamichhane, who began commercial orange farming a decade ago, has 550 orange trees in his orchard. Currently, 350 of these trees are bearing fruit, while the rest are still young. Over the past five years, he has been able to generate a steady income from his oranges.
He added, “My orchard spans 13 ropanis of land. Once all the trees start producing, I expect my income to almost double.” Like Lamichhane, many other commercial orange farmers in the district have entered into agreements with traders to ensure smooth marketing of their crops.
Syangja’s oranges are known for their distinct taste, and traders and companies in large cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Narayanghat, and Butwal regularly purchase them directly from the orchards. This direct purchasing arrangement has eliminated any difficulties in marketing the oranges produced in the district.
