Chilli yield in Yalang and Ramjar Gewogs of Trashi Yangtse has gone down. Chilli production decreased due to less rainfall and pests infestation. And this has left the farmers distressed as the local chillies fetch them a good price in the market. But the price of chillies has not dropped below Nu 200 per kilogram. 160 households in the two gewogs cultivate chillies in around 32 acres of land.
With favourable weather condition, farmers in the two gewogs harvest chilli early in Trashi Yangtse. And because of the early production, farmers fetch a higher price.
“When it comes to price, last year Dzongkhag purchased from us at Nu 280 per kilogram but this year they gave us Nu 300 per kilogram. This year the chilli price has not fallen below Nu 200 per kilogram,” said Sangay Yeshi, a farmer in Phooyang village in Yalang gewog.
Usually, farmers harvest their chillies some four to five times a year. However, this year some could hardly harvest twice. Farmers used water from their irrigation channel during continuous sunny days but to no avail.
“Last year I earned around Nu 100,000. But this year, I fetched only Nu 24,000. Our chillies dried because of the heat from the sun. And the shortage of rainwater only added to the problem,” said Dechen Yangzom, another farmer.
“Without any reason, my chilli plant started falling. The chilli production was poor this year,” added Chador Wangdi, another farmer.
With poor chilli yield, farmers have now started preparing for their paddy cultivation. The Gewog Agriculture Extension Office has provided pesticide to the farmers and advised them to use the irrigation water. The officials are also looking for alternatives to provide a water sprinkle system next year to be used in the absence of rainfall.
As per records maintained with the Gewog Agriculture Extension office, the farmers produced more than 26 tonnes of chillies last year. But this year, the expectation is only around 15 tonnes.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
