According to the latest statistics compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC), total plantation areas of citrus fruits increased to 23,609 hectares from previous fiscal year´s 22,903 hectares.[break]
Dr Hari Dahal, spokesperson of the MoAC, said increased production area and favorable weather are the major reasons behind rice in citrus fruits yields. Production of orange increased to 179,494 tons during the review period, up from 174,868 tons recorded in 2009/10. Orange is cultivated in around five dozen districts, mainly in hills and mountains.
Similarly, sweet orange production has marginally increased to 50,659 tons from last fiscal year´s 50,518 tons. Sweet orange is cultivated in 4,089 hectares. Lime and lemon production has been recorded at 22,751 tons and 6,121 tons in 2,731 hectares and 1,087 hectares respectively.
Lime and lemon are planted in around 50 districts across the country. In the last fiscal year, lemon and lime production stood at 22,399 tons and 6,121 tons in 2,635 and 1,010 hectares respectively.
Production of other citrus fruits that includes sweet lime, citron, and pummelo rose to 4,534 tons in 789 hectares, up from 4,286 tons in 685 hectares a year earlier.
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