The Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) rejected 12 tons or about a truckload of imported green chillies in Samdrup Jongkhar on Tuesday. The chillies were found to have high pesticide content. The government started importing green chillies in January for three months to ensure availability and curb illegal imports.
This consignment of green chillies reached Samdrup Jongkhar on Monday. But it was found unfit for consumption due to its high pesticide content.
It was imported from Falakata in West Bengal. The Food Corporation of Bhutan or FCB spent more than Nu 1 M. BAFRA has asked FCB to send back the consignment immediately.
Imported green chillies are tested as per the standard operating procedure so that it is safe to consume. Since the local winter chilli production meets only about 20 per cent of the demand, shops in Samdrup Jongkhar thromde are without green chillies.
“It has been more than two weeks without chillies. We are told that it will be brought yesterday but I think due to the chemical content it was sent back,” said Dawa Pem, a shopkeeper.
“It has been three weeks without chillies. People come here looking for chillies,” said Phuntsho, another shopkeeper.
Farmers of Pemathang chiwog in Pemathang Gewog tried to grow winter chillies but pest infestation affected the cultivation. The agriculture ministry banned the import of green chillies in 2016 due to high pesticide content.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
