Bueng Kan: The orange orchard in Ban Huai Khom, Seka District, Bueng Kan Province, belongs to Mr. Somyot Bo Hin, aged 46, a farmer who turns sandy soil to grow honey oranges and gets good quality oranges on a 5-rai area, generating half a million baht in income per year.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Somyot Bo Hin revealed that prior to his venture into orange farming, he worked as a driver selling agricultural chemicals. His journey into orange cultivation began when he visited an orange farm in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, where he met an experienced farmer who shared valuable insights into the practice. Gradually, Mr. Somyot accumulated knowledge and decided to experiment by planting oranges in his hometown of Bueng Kan, eventually transitioning to full-time orange farming. His land, originally a rice field with sandy soil, was improved with nutrients like manure and cow dung, supplemented by a small amount of chemical fertilizer. Currently, he has approximately 535 trees, predominantly honey oranges, which have yielded promising results.
Mr. Somyot emphasizes the importance of water in orange cultivation, noting that insufficient water can lead to various issues such as wilted leaves, falling fruit, and poor fruit quality. He states that daily or alternate-day watering is essential, particularly during the flowering period. A major challenge is root rot, as orange tree roots cannot remain submerged for extended periods. Harvesting begins at three years, with peak yields in the fourth and fifth years. While the income from orange farming supports him, he highlights the need for supplementary sources of income during off-seasons. Additionally, the garden offers saplings for sale at 40 baht each.
Last year, Mr. Somyot's orange sales generated approximately 500,000 baht in revenue. After deducting expenses, he retained a profit of about half, as he managed all operations himself, with costs primarily consisting of oil, water, fertilizer, and medicine, totaling around 250,000 baht annually. This venture has proven to be a lucrative career for him.
In addition to the orchard, there is also a cafe offering a variety of beverages for visitors. Those traveling to Tham Nakha to pay respect to Pu U Lue, Bueng Khong Long, are encouraged to stop by the Sai Ngern Seka Orange Garden, located nearby. For more information or to plan a visit, interested individuals can contact the garden through Facebook.