MYAGDI:- Farmers in Myagdi district have harvested oranges worth Rs 316 million this year, according to the Agricultural Development Office. Orange remains one of the major cash crops for local farmers.

The district produced 4,515 metric tonnes of oranges from 430 hectares of land. Farmers sold the produce at an average rate of Rs 70 per kilogram. Chief of the Agricultural Development Office, Sanjeev Bastola, noted that the total earnings were calculated based on data collected from orange farms across the district.

However, production and income declined compared to last year, when farmers earned Rs 340 million by selling 4,781 metric tonnes of oranges grown on 425 hectares. Bastola explained that despite favorable weather and no disease or natural disasters this year, the lower yield is part of a natural production cycle.

Major orange-growing areas in Myagdi include Rakhu, Marek, Surkemela, Barangja, Bhedabari, Arman, Runma, Bim, Okharbot, Ghatan, Piple, Beg, Dowa, Dosalle, Bhurung Tatopani, Dana, and Narchayang villages.