China Oranges Are No Longer Far Away—Now Available in Thakurgaon

Published : Thursday, 18 December, 2025 at 7:11 PM Count : 428

China oranges are now being cultivated in the North Bathina area of Uttar Bathina village under Rajagaon Union of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila by farmer Zainal Abedin. However, the first successful cultivation of Darjeeling oranges in Thakurgaon was achieved earlier by farmer Jewel of Pirganj, who amazed everyone with his success. Since then, Jewel's orange orchard in Pirganj has gained nationwide fame under the name "Orange Valley." Following Jewel's success, another farmer from Thakurgaon, Zainal Abedin, has now made headlines.

Sweet Darjeeling-variety oranges are being produced in the North Bathina area of Rajagaon Union No. 14 under Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila. In addition, Zainal Abedin has cultivated 300 China orange trees.

The hill oranges of Darjeeling are globally recognized for their taste, aroma, and nutritional value. These oranges are very sweet, nutritious, and comparatively large in size. Each tree usually bears around 200 to 1,000 fruits, whereas China orange trees can bear more than 2,000 fruits.

Zainal Abedin began cultivating China oranges in 2019 using Darjeeling and China orange saplings collected from the Horticulture Center under the completed Orange Development Project of the Thakurgaon Department of Agricultural Extension. As advised by the Horticulture Center authorities, he planted 300 saplings of Darjeeling and China orange varieties on two acres of paddy land.

With proper care, the trees started bearing fruit three years after planting. He has been harvesting oranges for the past two years. The orchard has now become a major attraction for visitors. Currently, each 12-year-old tree bears approximately more than four thousand oranges. The fruits are quite large—about 5–6 oranges per kilogram. Each China orange weighs around 200 to 250 grams. The oranges are very sweet, but they taste even sweeter if eaten 2–3 days after harvesting.

The segments of the oranges are juicy and plump, making them very appealing. Moreover, due to low fiber content, the peel can be removed very easily. Initially, Zainal Abedin was worried about marketing the oranges. At the beginning of the season, he sold them at 200 taka per kilogram, but later the price dropped to 120 taka per kilogram. However, in 2022, he again started selling at 200 taka per kilogram at the beginning of the season, and due to growing popularity, the price increased to 250 taka. In 2023, the price reached 300 taka per kilogram. Currently, around 2,000 people visit his orchard every day to see and taste the oranges. In 2024 and the ongoing 2025 season, prices range from 320 to 350 taka per kilogram.

Zainal Abedin said, "I now want to use my orange orchard as an agro-tourism center. Alongside this, I have already produced more than 2,000 original orange saplings. Since the northern region lies on flat land at the foothills of the Himalayas, there is great potential for cultivating Darjeeling and China oranges here. This will not only be an orange orchard but will also become a tourism hub."

According to agricultural officers, due to the acidic pH of the soil in the northern region and the cold Himalayan climate, there is strong potential for cultivating Darjeeling oranges. To reduce sunburn, shade trees must be planted in the orchard. Even during winter, irrigation through flooding is required to ensure juiciness of the oranges. Water suckers in the orchard must be pruned regularly. To control fruit flies, Ispahani pheromone traps can be used. Fertilizer should be applied at least three times a year, and ample organic manure is required to increase sweetness. To control scab disease, Bordeaux mixture should be applied regularly.

Sources from the Thakurgaon Department of Agricultural Extension say that seeing the success of orange cultivation has inspired many people, and some are being encouraged to start orange farming themselves. Although it is not permanent, the orchard has currently become a recreational center. If any new entrepreneur wants to cultivate oranges, they will be provided with full support, including cultivation methods, access to quality saplings, and necessary information and technology.

It is worth mentioning that the cultivation of Darjeeling and China oranges in Bangladesh began in 2012. Under the completed Orange Development Project of the Department of Agricultural Extension, some extra Darjeeling orange saplings were available at the Thakurgaon Horticulture Center. Farmer Zainal Abedin collected those saplings and planted 300 of them on two acres of land.

FP/MI