Farmers in Bhojpur’s Khawa turn to commercial orange farming

Bhojpur, September 15, 2026 — Farmers in Khawa of Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality-5, Bhojpur, are increasingly turning to commercial orange farming as an alternative source of income.

Farmers have begun adopting orange cultivation as a more sustainable and potentially profitable option after traditional grain crops provided only limited returns. While orange farming in the area was previously confined largely to household consumption, it has gradually expanded into commercial production.

Many farmers have started using vacant and underutilised land to establish and expand orange orchards. The shift has gained momentum as local farmers see greater income potential in oranges compared with conventional crops.

Farmer Chandal Kumar Rai said commercial orange farming can generate better returns than other agricultural crops. He said producing and selling orange saplings alongside fruit production had provided an additional source of income.

“Orange farming, along with producing and selling saplings, has helped us increase our income,” Rai said. “It has helped cover household expenses and also allowed us to save.”

Farmers in the Khawa Kherabari area have recently become more engaged in commercial orange cultivation.

The local climate, soil conditions and elevation are considered highly suitable for orange production. Farmer Deuram Rai said oranges grown in the area have good taste, quality and size, contributing to strong market demand.

He said Khawa could potentially develop into one of Bhojpur’s major orange-producing areas if cultivation is expanded in a systematic manner.

Ward Chairperson Sunil Rai said the ward office has been implementing orange promotion programmes to develop agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

“We have been providing farmers with technical assistance as well as quality planting materials,” he said. “We expect the programme to increase production and improve farmers’ income in the coming years.”