COVID-19 restrictions continue to hamper livelihoods. This time it is the betel nut growers and traders in Samdrup Jongkhar who are bearing the brunt of the restrictions. They have not been able to start the export. The farmers are worried that they may not be able to sell their produce this season. Most of the villages that grow betel nut in the district fall under the red and yellow zones.
It is mid-March and betel nut growers in Samdrup Jongkhar have not yet started selling the crop.
Usually, by this time of the year, they would start selling betel nut to local traders who would harvest and export it to Indian traders across the border.
Both traders and growers are worried that the crop will get damaged if it is not harvested within the next month.
“The traders are not able to come here to buy betel nut due to the lockdown. If it gets further delayed, it will get damaged by wind and rain with the rainy season approaching. Production for the next season will also be hampered. We will be grateful if the government comes up with some solution,” said Ganashem Kharka, a farmer in Langchenphu Gewog.
“Due to the lockdown, we are not able to go and buy betel nut. If it is not harvested within April, the weight of the betel nut will reduce,” said Puspa Lal Adhikari, a trader in Pemathang Gewog.
“Last year the government helped us export through Jomotshangkha check post. This time also we are expecting the same. Betel nut is one of our main cash crops,” said Nerta Khatiwara, a farmer in Langchenphu Gewog.
An official from the Regional Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives in Samdrup Jongkhar said they will soon facilitate the export with support from the district and respective gewog administrations.
Gewog administrations of Langchenphu, Pemathang and Phuntshothang said they have worked out plans to export within a few days.
Last year, Samdrup Jongkhar exported more than 500 metric tons or about 50 truckloads of betel nut to India.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
