Last year at this time, a farmers’ group in Shumar Gewog in Pema Gatshel was busy producing orange pulp. But not this time. The demand has drastically come down. The pulp is the soft juicy part of a fruit or a vegetable. It is used to make orange squash and sold in the country. It is supplied to the Bhutan Agro Industries in Thimphu.
This fruit processing plant would otherwise be blaring across the area. But silence has engulfed it now. It belongs to Dungsam Sonam Gongphel Detshen, a farmers’ group in Shumar Gewog. The unit has been producing orange pulp since 2008. But this year, due to less demand, the machines are left idle.
“We stopped producing pulp after they said they can take in only five tons. If they need more, we are ever ready to start the production since the orange season is still not over,” said Sangay, a member of the group.
The Bhutan Agro Industries said they have pulp to last for at least two years. It was supplied from Zhemgang, Pema Gatshel, Lingmithang and Dagapela.
“We have enough orange pulps for now. We can only accept five metric tons of oranges,” said Sonam Dhendup, a senior post-production officer.
And the company is now exploring the international market. But they are asking farmers to bring their oranges to produce export quality juice.
The processing unit in Shumar Gewog sold about 40 tons of pulp last year.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
