Krishna Kubir Rai of Mantewa in Silichong Rural Municipality-4 used to carry oranges in basket and bring them to Khandbari Bazaar for sale two years ago.
Not only him, but also other orange farmers of the village used to carry the oranges in baskets to the market.
But since the road reached the village lately, the orange traders have been reaching the village to purchase oranges.
Even though the traders do not come to the village, orange farmers have started transporting the oranges to Dharan by vehicles for sale.
The farmers of Mantewa, who were facing problems selling oranges until a few years ago, said that they have not been able to meet the demand of traders now.
The unpaved road reached Mantewa in Silichong Rural Municipality-4 two years ago.
Oranges are being transported to Dharan market for sale after the construction of the road.
Similarly, oranges are being sold in local markets, including Bamlingtar and Kulung, Heluwabenshi, Khandbari and Tumlingtar of Sankhuwasabha.
Mantewa of Silichong Rural Municipality is famous for oranges. The oranges here are said to be sweeter and tastier than in other regions.
More than 60 families are involved in orange farming in Mantewa village. Ward Chairman Devendra Rai said that oranges have been cultivated especially in Jouletol, Mul Gaon, Barje and Salleri commercially.
Last year, a family sold oranges worth up to Rs. 150,000, said Rai.
Farmers said that the market should be managed even though they have been selling at a relatively good price for the last few years.
They claimed that oranges have not been able to get a fair price even though the problem of selling oranges has been removed since last year.
According to local Yogendra Kulung, the price of orange is still cheaper though they have been selling at the rate of Rs. 4 per orange from the farm.
He complained that farmers were facing the problem of supplying oranges to the big market due to delay in constructing a bridge at Arun River at Bumling.
“It is difficult for people to carry oranges because the bridge was not built. If the bridge was built, oranges could have been taken directly to the big market,” said Kulung.
Source : TRN,
