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 Dai/ekh district: Goganpani, Lankuri and Du//u. 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 fulse belief thul inlercropping cereals increases citrus production due to be//er aeration a/
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.

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 Dai/ekh district: Goganpani, Lankuri and Du//u. 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 fulse belief thul inlercropping cereals increases citrus production due to be//er aeration a/
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.