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