A trial for year-round chilli production is underway in Awashing village under Chhimoong Gewog in Pema Gatshel. Farmers there have started the second plantation of the year and gearing towards keeping the harvest continued.
They have been in chilli farming on a commercial scale since 2017. The farmer’s group, Awashing Sonam Thundrel Detshen has been formed to produce winter chilli in the beginning. But now with the outbreak of COVID-19 forcing closures of the border, they are also looking to producing throughout the year to keep the supply in the market continuous.
Sonam Zangmo, a member of the Awashing Sonam Thundrel Detshen, shares how chilli farming has been made easier by the intervention from the government. “Chili is better than other crops in terms of income earning. But the work is quite tough. We are provided plastics for plastic mulching. It is very useful to us. Without it, we have to spend many days on weeding a small area. When we do plastic mulching, we only have to clear between the beds,” she said.
Farmers also share the daunting task of taking care of the spice during the winter season.
“We have planted one batch just now and we are thinking to sow seeds again. In summer we have no problem at all. But we have to keep watering all the time in winter. We use to water in the morning and evening every day,” said Dorji Pemo, also a member of the farmer’s group
“We are trying to make the chilli sufficient at least in the Dzongkhag. It is doing well but we face difficulties in the winter. We have to water again and again. It even takes longer time to harvest. We are harvesting just now, which we have planted during winter,” added Tashi Wangdi, also a member of the farmer’s group.
Gewog Administration and Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector are supporting the farmers with necessary materials and other technical assistance to build the capacity in production. Farmers will also be provided with more polythene sheet to overcome the challenges in winter and increase the area.
Yeshi Wangdi, the Gup of Chhimoong Gewog, shares the plans of the gewog’s self-reliant vision of agricultural products for all times to come. “Compared to last year, we have planted in more area this year. We are trying to supply to Pema Gatshel Dzongkhag to minimise the import. Not only during the time of COVID-19, but we are also hoping to make agriculture stronger in the future,” he added.
The group is provided with six polythene houses and one shade net (Shade House or Net House) for cultivation. The 18-member group is also provided with pipes, drip set, and a Sintex water tanks each. The group cultivates chilli on an area of four acres at Awashing today.
Thinley Dorji
