To ensure that hazelnut orchards grow well and produce nuts, Mountain Hazelnut Venture Limited will carry out another large scale grafting programme this month. It was one of the important decisions during the Mountain Hazelnuts’ three-day annual technical conference in Monggar.
More than 150 field staff from across the country share ideas and skills on diseases, nutrient management, post-harvest management and research aspects of hazelnut production. To increase nut production, the company will soon start large scale grafting programme in 18 districts.
“Last year we carried out large scale grafting programmes. This year also, we would be doing the same beginning this month. Last year we grafted hazelnut trees on 4000 acres of land. This year we would be doing it on additional 1000 acres. While doing the grafting, we faced some issues. So we discussed those issues in the meeting and we will be doing better grafting this year,” said Jimba Dorji, the Eastern Operation Head for Mountain Hazelnut Venture Limited at Monggar.
The rectification is expected to improve the quality and increase overall nut production in the coming years.
“The training is conducted to empower our field staff. By empowering our field staff, they will take ownership and work even harder. So it will be more convenient. Another objective is to provide our field staff with new technical skills and upgrade their knowledge,” he added.
Farmers across the country saw an increase in hazelnut production after the grafting programme last year. This year alone the company collected over 24 metric tonnes of nuts from 18 districts.
“So many farmers around the country are now saying nuts forming on their trees. There had been confusion. Many farmers have forgotten how long their trees have been in the ground. But actually many trees are really 4-year-old. So this is the time where we start saying nuts happen. We had harvest, which was bigger than before. The quality of nuts is good. And we have taken those nuts samples to different parts of the world and shown them to buyers who are very interested and want to buy our nuts much more,” said Daniel Spitzer, the Chairman of Mountain Hazelnuts.
Today there are over 10,000 households and community groups engaged in hazelnut production.
Sonam Tshering
