Winter chilli farming was a success last year. It not only replaced the imported chillies but also became a source of income for many farmers. This has inspired farmers in Yangbari village under Gongdue Gewog in Monggar.
Winter is nearing and an increasing number of farmers are into growing winter chillies this year. And a group of women in Yangbari are already preparing for the season. They are transplanting chilli plants on a farm that is a little bigger than a soccer field.
Dorji Zangmo, a farmer said,“We started commercial chilli farming this year as there is no import of chilli from India due to the pandemic. If we get a good harvest this year, we are planning to continue next year as well by increasing farm size.”
Pikari-Yangbari Chiwog Tshogpa, Karma Dorji said, “In the early days, farmers were not aware of the chilli growing season. As the gewog agriculture extension supervisor often comes here to train the farmers in transplanting chilli saplings, more farmers have picked up chilli farming.”
“We can sell chilli to Nganglam and Monggar since they are near Yangbari. If we are able to produce chilli, the traders come to our doorstep to buy it. So marketing won’t be a challenge,” added Norbu Wangdi, a farmer.
Under the Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP) Project, the gewog agriculture extension and agriculture research and development center in Monggar provided the technical support to the farmers of Yangbari.
Chimi Tshewang, Gongdue Gewog Agriculture Extension Supervisor said, “Our objective was to grow chilli on three acres of land but as the rain damaged some chilli saplings we could cultivate chilli on two acres of land only. But this year 42 households have transplanted chilli saplings on 18 acres of farmland. Most of the farmers are working in-group. Each group has cultivated chill plants on 15 decimal land to twoacres. ”
He also added that using plastic mulching helped with the production.
“Since Yangbari is located near the river, its too windy. So, the plastic mulching helps in conserving water.”said the Gewog Agriculture Extension Supervisor.
The chillies will hit the market by January next year.
Sonam Tshering, Monggar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
