The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Orange production in Bhutan continues to decline, with major citrus-growing districts such as Samtse seeing drastic reductions in output. Once a leading contributor to the citrus trade, Samtse has gone from exporting over 500 truckloads of oranges annually to just 18 truckloads in recent years.
The primary cause of this decline is citrus greening, a disease first detected in Bhutan in 1992 in Phuentsholing. The disease, spread by psyllid insects, damages the tree’s vascular system, causing fruit drop, poor quality, and eventual tree death. Compounding the issue is the aging of many trees in existing orchards, which reduces both yield and resistance to disease.
According to Agriculture and Livestock Minister Younten Phuntsho, “Citrus greening and aging trees are the main causes of the decline in orange production.”
To address the situation, the government has identified orange as a key crop under the Million Fruit Tree Plantation Program, which is focused on restoring productivity through large-scale replanting and improved seedling varieties. Research is also underway to identify disease-resistant and climate-adaptable varieties of citrus.
“We are currently studying nine varieties of orange,” Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho said, “mainly to prevent diseases and see how we can support different climate-resilient varieties.”
Further support is being provided through the Building Resilient Commercial Smallholder Agriculture (BRECSA) project, which is currently active in Zhemgang, Trongsa, Sarpang, and Tsirang. A similar project is being developed for six eastern districts to address orchard management challenges in those areas.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers have suggested alternative land use for unproductive orchards. Shompangkha MP Tek Bahadur Rai said that converting orchards to dry land could allow farmers to grow high-yielding crops or construct houses. However, the ministry clarified that land conversion decisions rest with the National Land Commission.
Currently, Bhutan’s orange trees yield only around 7-kg per tree on average, according to a 2020 study. In comparison, average yields in other citrus-producing countries range from 30 to 50 kgs, highlighting a significant productivity gap.
While interventions are in motion, the long-term revival of Bhutan’s orange industry will depend on the success of new varieties, sustained orchard care, and effective disease management.
