Farmers in Dujeygang Geog under Dagana are worried. The orange production this year has dropped drastically.
Orange is an important cash crop here. For many farmers, it is their only source of income.
According to the farmers, the yield has fallen by more than half.
“The orange yield has gone down by around 70 percent compared to last year. The quality is also not good,” said Pema Tsewang, a Dujeygang farmer.
“We are entirely dependent on our orange. The orange yield has significant impact on our lives,” said Sangay, another farmer.
The orange yield is also reportedly low in other areas in Dagana and several geogs in Tsirang districts.
Farmers are blaming it on the scantly and late Monsoon this year. A hailstorm earlier this year during the flowering season, they believe, may have also affected the yield.
Agriculture officials disagree. They attribute the fall in the yield to bad orchard management.
