Orange producers attribute the high price to the rise in demand. "The demand of orange is increasing while production is decreasing every year so the buyers are ready to pay high price," said Kedar Paudel of Hangdewa. [break]
According to him, production has decreased in the district for the past few years due to rains and hailstorm during the flowering season.
Sita Devi Paudel, a farmer of Fungling-1 is worried by the decreasing production despite the rising price. She said production could increase if different species of orange are planted.
"What is ironical is, orange sells for Rs 40-50 per kg in the Tarai region but in the hills, where it grows, we have to pay up to Rs 60 per kg," said Khadga Bikram Subedi, a customer.
District Agriculture Development Office says that the price has increased due to decline in production and increase in awareness among the producers. "Due to rainfall and hailstorm, the production of orange has decreased by 18 percent," informed Moti Lal Yadav, senior agriculture development officer in Taplejung.
In Taplejung oranges are produced in 1,682 hectares of land, according to Yadav.
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