The hot issue of chilli is told, retold and discussed all the time these days. While the import is banned since 2016, Bhutan is yet to produce sufficiently to meet the demand. Cashing in on the supply shortage some are even trying to smuggle the spice in. The price of chilli has soared as high as Nu 800 a kilogram in the past few days, even then the supply is running out from the source. However, farmers in Tsirang are putting in the effort to produce chillies ahead of the usual time. It is expected to hit the market by March.
Last year, early Bhutanese chillies from Tsirang was ready for harvest by April. Tsirang, dubbed as the vegetable capital of the country produces vegetables on commercial scale.
It has been three weeks since farmers finished transplantation of chilli saplings. In the previous year, farmers couldn’t start transplanting chilli saplings even at this time of the year.
The Gewog Agriculture Extension Officer of Sergithang Gewog, D.B Ghalley said, “the chilli saplings are growing well without any infection. Last year we produced the early Bhutanese chilli by the first week of April but this year we are targeting by the second week of March.”
Farmers from four chiwogs of Sergithang Gewog are growing chillies.
The gewog started growing the early Bhutanese chilli from last year. However, only a few farmers cultivated the chillies on eight acres of land last year.
However, more farmers are growing in around 30 acres of land this year.
“I grew the early Bhutanese chilli only in around 40 decimals of land last year but the harvest was bountiful. This year I have increased to 70 decimals of land and I am hoping the same harvest like last year,” said Bir Bdr Rai from Sergithang Maed Chiwog.
“Looking at the chilli plants, the harvest will be promising this time as well,” said Garab, a farmer from Tashithang Chiwog.
“Many farmers are unaware of how early Bhutanese chillies are profitable. But after seeing a few farmers making a good income, this year almost all the farmers in my Chiwog are growing the early Bhutanese chilli,” said Rinchen Phuentsho, Tshogpa of Tashithang Chiwog.
Farmers will harvest the chillies until June and Thimphu is their main market.
District Agriculture Sector officials also said a few other gewogs also produce the chilli.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
