UK Acharya, K Ghimire, KP Timsina
Nepal Agricultural Research Council

GD Subedi
Agriculture Research Station, Rajikot, Jumla

Abstract

In the Dailekh district, despite steady increase in area devoted to citrus production productivity was not increased as anticipated. Therefore, this study was conducted to establish the present state of citrus cultivation and associated problems. The study was conducted during September 2008 in three citrus production villages of Dailekh district: Goganpani, Lankuri and Dullu. Sixty citrus growers were selected randomly from the a list of total that is twenty in each of three villages and participated in semi-structured questionnaire, Focus group discussions and orchard visits. Eighty percent Farmers used seedling plants and only five percent of Farmers used chemical fertilizer. Further, only 10% of farmers had assured irrigation so rest had adopted rain-fed system. Growers were in false belief that intercropping cereals increases citrus production due to better aeration at root zone by plowing. All orchards were affected by pests and diseases because of a limited access to chemical control measure and a lack of knowledge meant that proper control measures were not employed. Further, improper post-harvest handling caused farmers to receive lower prices for their product. Integrated plant nutrient and pest management programs need to be adopted by R &D
partners for these production areas. Farmers have to be encouraged to plant grafted sapling because these are free from bacterial and viral diseases and can better withstand water stress. It is suggested that R and D partners organize training and awareness programs on proper orchard and nursery management, and post-harvest handling and marketing processes.