DHADING: Orange production has declined by 30 per cent in Dhading this year, owing to the drought prolonging in the district during the flowering season.

Last year, the production stood at 4, 156 metric tonnes whereas this year it decreased to 3,000 metric tonnes, according to the District Agriculture Development Office, Dhading.

Orange last year was cultivated in 424 hectares of land whereas this year it was cultivated in 301 hectares.

Hekrang, Jawang and Dhusa of Jogimara VDC and Ghairang, Nalang and Nilkantha of Mahadevsthan VDC in the district are known to be the pocket area for orange production.

Due to this, many farmers have switched to cultivation of other crops.