If not all, the majority of Bhutanese raise at least few indoor and outdoor plants and flowers to beautify their residences. This culture has shot up demand for decorative plants and flowers in the markets. In Dagana, anticipating a brisk business and taking advantage of abundant varieties of orchids in the district, a group of eight women in Gesarling chiwog under Gesarling gewog ventured into commercial orchid farming in March this year. Although there is no official record, the district is known for its rich habitation of wild orchids.
The Gesarling Women’s Orchid Farm is located a few metres away from the Gesarling Central School.
The farm has over five hundred orchids. The group grows four varieties including edible and inedible orchids.
Lekzom, Chairman of the women’s group said they haven’t been able to sell any orchids so far as the plants are yet to bear flowers. “It has been only four months. Once it starts bearing flowers we will be selling in the markets. We are also selling orchids in the form of saplings for home decoration.”
The group hasn’t received many orders so far. But they have high hopes in the orchid farm. They cannot rely on growing vegetables for commercial purpose owing to unfavourable weather condition in the area.
“Due to continuous rainfall in Gesarling chiwog, we cannot grow vegetables. Even for consumption, we have to buy green chillies from the markets. So the income generated from selling orchids will help us meet children’s expenses and buy household items,” said Lekzom.
“In winter, vegetables do not grow well due to lack of irrigation water and in summer vegetables including chillies die to continuous rainfall in the area. So we cannot earn much income from vegetables. This year, with funding support from dzongkhag we started the orchid farming with a hope to generate some income,” said Tashi Chezom, a member of the group.
The Dagana Dzongkhag’s Economic Development Sector supported the group in establishing the orchid farm.
It enables harvesting non-wood forest products legally and provide a source of income for the locals. It is also to promote sustainable orchid farming.
Besides economic benefit orchids are known for medicinal values. Some orchid varieties are known to cure cancers, strengthen the immune system and improve eyesight.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Phub Gyem
