Ramechap sees rise in Junar production

Junar or sweet orange production has increased in Ramechhap this year. Thanks to the suitable climate and proper use of treatment and nutrients, production of the citrus fruit has increased in the district.

Himal Tamang of Okhreni in Ramechhap Municipality-6 has cultivated Junar on 15 ropani of land. He said that the production is 50 percent more than last year.

Farmers have said that Junar production has increased in Himganga, Sukajor, Okhreni and Fulasi of Manthali of Ramechhap Municipalities.

According to Gunja Bahadur Karki, Chair of Junar Zone Operation Coordination Committee, the Prime Minister's Agriculture Modernization Project is working to promote Manthali and Ramechhap Municipality as a junar production zone.

The project has also distributed various grants, technical assistance, pesticides and vitamins, and mechanization tools to farmers.

Bhawani Basnet, a technician from the project office, said that orange fruits were produced on 520 hectares of land last year of which junar was cultivated on 422.5 hectares and orange on 78 hectares and lemon on 20.8 hectares. Last year 4,380 metric tons of junar fruit were produced here fetching Rs 199 million.

This year, Junar was cultivated on 437 hectares, oranges on 81 hectares, and lemons on 22 hectares, and it is expected that 4,411 metric tons will be produced and be sold for Rs 226 million.

As a result, farmers are happy with the increase in Junar production. They are selling junar from the garden for Rs 60 to Rs 75 per kilogram, depending on the size of the fruit.

The citrus fruit is available in the market for Rs 100 to 120 per kilogram.