Farmers increase mango produce in Nanong

Few years ago, farmers  had to fell orange trees after they were affected by citrus greening. As a replacement to oranges, 80 households started growing mango trees.

Today, most of the mango trees have started to fruit. Farmers are proud of their hard work and said they did not regret growing mangoes. ” It has been more than four years since we grew mango trees and beginning this year, they started to fruit well. We are expecting more fruits from next year as trees grow bigger.” says a farmer, Sonam Wangdi from Zhingray village. But his only worry is finding a right market for his produce.

Another villager, Dorji Wangchuk said they were encouraged by the agriculture extension officials to grow mango when the orange trees fell victim to citrus greening. “After that  they supplied us the mango and litchi saplings. They started giving fruits after few years.”

Farmers said they would like to increase mango production if they find market for their produce in future.

Sha Bahadur Barakoti, an agriculture extension officer in  Nanong gewog, said they are more than willing to  facilitate farmers sell their mangoes. “Till now we did not have  marketing problem as production was less. If the production increases, we will look into the market.” said the officer. “Definitely we will consult with department of agriculture and marketing, and also with Food Corporation of Bhutan. We will also talk with Bhutan Agro Industry Limited and nearby local markets, “he assured.

In 2014,  farmers altogether were given 2400 saplings of mango and litchi by the government to help improve their livelihood. This year, the farmers are expected to harvest 20 to 30 kgs of fruits from each of this tree.

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