WALING: Syangja, which enjoys the virtue of being called an orange grove in the country, has sold oranges worth more than Rs 260 million in the first half of current fiscal year 2015/16.

A total of 10,200 metric tonnes of oranges was sold from the district which is well-known for producing juicy and sweet oranges, according to Tilak BC, Information Officer at the District Agriculture Development Office, Syangja.

"The commercial orange farming spans across 1,250 hectare of areas across the district," shared Information Officer BC.

He added that of the total products around 1,224 metric tonnes of orange was consumed locally whereas rest 8,466 metric tonnes were exported outside the district.

"Although a large quantity of oranges was produced this year, fetching handsome price, the farmers faced problems in its sales due to the India-imposed unofficial border blockade on Nepal," said BC.

Putalibazar Municipality, Pelakot, Biruwa, Manakamana, Thuladihi and Khiling-Deurali among others are known as pocket areas for commercial orange farming, according to the DADO.