Orange farmers in Zhemgang already started receiving advance payments from business people in Paro, Thimphu and Gelephu. This is because the orange yield in the district is expected to double this year compared to previous years. Orange is one of the main cash crops for farmers in Zhemgang.
With the harvest season just around the corner, 68-year-old Minjurla of Kikhar village in Nangkor Gewog is busy guarding his ten acres of the orange orchard from wild animals.
He is expecting to earn more than Nu 2 M from his orange orchard this time. Last year, he earned about Nu 1 M.
“This time the yield is good. I am happy that I can easily sell my orange as there is no movement restriction, unlike the past two years. I am expecting the business to be better this time. We can also meet the exporters in person and see how much we can get from the sale. I have already got about Nu 1.5 M as an advance payment.”
Similarly, according to the district agriculture officer, all eight gewogs have reported a better yield this time.
“The improvement in the orchard management by the people is one reason orange trees bear good yield every year. The second reason is the good weather condition that helped farmers during the flowering and fruiting season. And fortunately, this year we haven’t received any complaints on citrus greening, unlike in the past,” said Jambay Ugyen, officiating District Agriculture Officer.
The District Agriculture Sector has recorded about 70,000 orange fruiting trees in all the gewogs.
Zhemgang sold about 3,000 metric tons of oranges last year.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Sonam Pem
