Citrus fruits grown in Nepal are going to bring sweet results with rising prospects of being exported to China. At the moment, Nepal is far from self-sufficient in citrus fruits but it does not mean that this situation will not change for better in the future. Blessed with fertile soil, suitable climate and hilly topography, horticulture venture can turn out fruitful for the people with entrepreneurship and hard work. Commercial fruit cultivation, however, has a long way to go before our citrus productions can achieve an exporter’s status. For the juicy dreams not to turn sour, the government should provide incentives and stimulus for enterprising youths who are well motivated to engage in productive enterprise at home than going abroad for employment. Many other conditions have to be met before making citrus horticulture into a profit making and fruitful undertaking. First, the farming pockets with high potential of output have to be identified. This requires expert involvement in soil testing, climatic assessment and the risks posed by pests and germs.

Transport access is an important pre-requisite because manpower, manure, seeds, tools and other inputs cannot be availed without a good road network. Transport infrastructure is necessary also to take the products to the airport or the market. Products that cannot be exported should be supplied in the local market which is positive for self-sufficiency and import substitution. Cold storage facilities need to be constructed so that excess products can be stored and marketed round the year. Agro experts and technicians need to be availed to deal with problems such as inferior quality, outbreak of pests and resultant losses. Concerned farmers have to bear losses due to outbreak of diseases and pests. Agro-insurance policy should be in place to minimise the risk of losses.

Signing of a memorandum of understanding with China recently regarding the export of citrus fruits has been seen positively because the northern neighbour has a huge market for our products. But we have to seriously consider the phyto-sanitary requirements for exports which get detailed in the bilateral deal. Quality control is an important aspect of this requirement that Nepal must meet to be qualified for export. The products that fail to meet the sanitary and nutritional standard or those that carry the risk of passing diseases may quarantine and rejected. Availability of market is an opportunity for Nepal but we need to work hard to ensure export worthiness of our products. Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr. Yubak Dhoj GC says that the citrus fruit deal with China has opened avenue for Nepal to increase products.

As China will give reasonable price to Nepali products, farmers can join this venture for commercial production of citrus fruits. To qualify for export to China, Nepali citrus fruits, which chiefly include orange, tangerine, sweet lime and lemon, have to be free from insects and mites. They should be healthy with robust nutritional quality. Production of fruits of exportable quality requires expertise, technology and the use of modern tools. The government can facilitate it with concessional loans, expert service and infrastructure construction. The demand of citrus fruits is said to be increasing in China every year. As China gives special preference for Nepali citrus fruits, the market competition is not going to be very fierce. With sanitary and nutritional standard of our products, we can accrue desired benefits.