SYANGJA, Nov 2: Lemon producers in Syangja are facing difficulties in finding a suitable market for their produce this year in contrast to good supplies last year. Farmers here made good supplies of lemons last year, but this time the situation is adverse.
Yam Prasad Poudel of Amaldanda of Waling municipality-14 said his income from the supplies of this citrus fruit amounted to Rs 600,000 last year. But this time, he has not yet harvested the fruit due to uncertainties over the market availability.
Poudel is in the position of supplying around one ton of produce promptly if a stable market is ensured. Currently, local markets consume only 10 to 15 kilograms daily, leaving farmers like Poudel in a worrisome situation.
Price of lemon doubles in a month
Poudel began lemon farming eight years ago after learning that Nepal imported lemons worth millions of rupees. He initially started on five ropani of land (one ropani is equivalent to 508.72 m²) and expanded it to an additional five ropani due to the positive results from his farming efforts.
Until last year, he could sell lemons for Rs 130 to 150 per kg, depending on the grade. Although he had expected to earn up to Rs 1.2 million this time, there has not been adequate demands from the market this year.
Furthermore, the absence of a storage facility in the locality has posed challenges to the lemon farmers in the district.
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