Arghakhanchi, Dec. 17 -- In Panini rural municipality-1 of Arghakhanchi, young farmer Revati Bhattarai's orchard has become a symbol of how commercial orange farming can change lives.

His 535 orange trees are now bearing fruit. Last year, he sold 170 quintals of oranges, generating a turnover of Rs900,000. This year, with new trees starting to bear fruit and older ones heavily laden, he estimates production could reach up to 200 quintals.

Harvesting has already begun, with ripe yellow oranges being picked and sent to market.

Butwal-based trader Jivalal Pandey had booked Bhattarai's orchard even before the fruits fully ripened.

"Our job is to produce. Traders come to our doorstep as soon as the green fruits appear and book the trees," ...