Some farmers in Gelegphu Gewog have started growing winter chilies on a commercial scale. It has been made possible with support from the gewog’s mass winter chili production scheme.
Ten farmers have been selected for the scheme. The Dzongkhag Agriculture Office has provided them with free chili saplings, water tanks and pipes and polythene sheets to construct sheds.
“The farmers that were selected were the ones who depend on agriculture for livelihood,” said Ugyen Wangchuk, the Gup of Gelegphu Gewog.
Ganjabir Monggar from Pemathang village is one of them. He has grown chilies in a 50-decimal land and hopes to cultivate more. He said such support from the government is encouraging.
But labour shortage remains a challenge. “It’s hard to find people to work on farms,” said Ganjabar Monggar.
The 10 selected farmers are together growing chilies in about 200 acres of land.
The winter chili cultivation is aimed at boosting local production. The surplus chilies, if any, will be supplied to other parts of the country.
