Phuyangshod farmers of Yallang Gewog in Trashi Yangtse make a living by growing chillies which they sell at this time of the year. This year, their crops are fetching a good price. However, they are worried about the production due to problems caused by untimely rain and pest infestations.
With favourable weather conditions, farmers of Phuyangshod and nearby areas are harvesting chilli early compared to other parts of Trashi Yangtse.
These days, they are selling it in the nearby markets. For some, it is their first harvest. However, some have harvested it already before. A kilogram of chilli is getting Nu 200 to 330 this year.
Usually, farmers harvest three or four times a year. But this year, they are worried as the plants are dying due to the pest infestation and unseasonal rain.
“This year the production is not that good. Chilli plants were damaged by the pest. Last time, I sold 30 kilograms and I don’t know how the production will be hereafter,” said Tenzin Chophel, a farmer of Phuyang village.
“The leaves of the plant turned yellowish. After that, some plants died and the others are damaged by the pest. Except for a few farmers, most farmers lost their plants to the pest. Last time I only sold 40 kilograms,” said Choden, a farmer in Yallang village.
According to Dzongkhag Agriculture officials, pesticides and water sprinklers were also provided to the farmers. Officials added that the situation would have worsened if they hadn’t used the pesticides.
They say the plants were affected by the pod borer pest. According to the National Plant Protection Centre, similar incident was reported in all chilli growing regions a few years ago. But serious losses were recorded in Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang and Trashi Yangtse. And the damage in chillies was more in those that were planted early.
Last year, farmers from 53 households produced 17 metric tons of green chilli.
Sonam Darjay, Tashi Yangtse
Edited by Tshering Zam
