Khotang district has produced more than NPR 341 million (about USD 2.62 million) worth of oranges this year, with Jantedhunga and Diprung Chuichumma rural municipalities emerging as the highest producers.
According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Khotang, oranges were cultivated across 980 hectares of land, yielding 3,410 metric tonnes of produce, valued at approximately USD 2.62 million at the rate of NPR 100 per kilogram. Although production remained strong, it was recorded on 15 fewer hectares compared to last year.
Farmers in Jantedhunga have seen significant income through orange sales this season. Jagat Rai from Diplung village earned NPR 700,000 (about USD 5,385) from selling oranges from his 250 trees, a boost he credits to improved transport access that allowed buyers to purchase directly from the orchard.
Many other farmers in surrounding settlements such as Satmara, Kerabari, Sove, Fagatpur, Pathibhara, Bhirgau, Wachipala, Ghole, Khuta, and Kattike also earned in the hundreds of thousands of rupees.
The rural municipality alone is estimated to have generated around NPR 45 million (about USD 346,000) in orange sales this year, supported by high demand and better yield.
In Diprung Chuichumma, farmer Ram Kunwar expects to earn around NPR 1.2 million (about USD 9,230) from orange production, up from NPR 900,000 (about USD 6,923) last year, citing increased output.
Meanwhile, production in the Khotehang and Rawabesi rural municipalities has declined. In Rawabesi’s Lamidanda area, disease outbreaks damaged orange crops, resulting in lower harvests this season.
Despite uneven production across the district, oranges continue to be a major source of income for Khotang’s farmers, with the majority recording a profitable season.
