For the women of Merag in Trashigang, processing wool is now no longer laborious as it used to be. This is because of a community-based medium-scale wool processing centre, which was set up in July this year.
The centre with wool carding and roving machines has benefited the community. The facility, which was installed through an EU-Helvetas project, is handed over to a woman’s group in the community, Buchung Kewa Zangpo Amtshu Deytshen. The EU-Helvetas Project provided Nu 2.1 M to install the machines.
The change has come at the cost of the traditional practice of using handmade brush and spindle to make wool yarns. But for Merag’s women, it is a change that is positive and welcomed.
“The machines have benefitted us a lot. Earlier, using our hands, it used to take us 4 to 5 days for carding a kilogram of wool. Now, it is just a matter of an hour,” Passang Choden said.
Besides, the centre’s establishment has encouraged the people of Merag to continue rearing sheep, which was at risk of disappearing.
Acknowledging the benefits, the members of the group added the centre would be complete with additional machines for wool production.
“There is a need for a wool cleaning machine and a yarn spinner to make different sizes of yarns. We also need a machine to roll the threads,” Nima said.
“We now have a wool carding and roving machines. But to make things more convenient, we are in need of other machines as well,” Passang Choden added.
Trashigang’s district livestock officer said the office will provide with necessary supports and look for funds depending on the progress of the group with the existing two machines.
Sonam Darjay
