Adzuki beans farming is gaining popularity among farmers in Tsirang. The bushy non-climbing bean species is easy to sell and can fetch attractive prices compared to other beans. More than fifty households in Sergithang Gewog are cultivating Adzuki beans on more than 21 acres of land.
Subash Rai is one among many growing Adzuki beans for the first time in Sergithang Maed chiwog. The 21-year-old has cultivated the beans over 1.5 acres of land. His family has leased the land from a private individual to venture into large-scale Adzuki beans production. The land was left fallow until he took up.
“My family has decided to grow the beans this year after the gewog agriculture extension supervisor told us we will get a good income from the beans. The officer also told us we can harvest twice from a one-time plantation. If we get a good harvest and income this time, we will grow the beans next year as well,” he said.
“We are convinced that the government will take the product paying Nu 250 per kilogram irrespective of a marketing issue. Our fellow farmers who grew the beans last year told us the beans grow well here. So my family got confidence from them to take up the Adzuki beans farming this year,” added his wife, Dechen Lhamo.
Only six households in Sergithang Maed chiwog have grown the beans in a few decimals of land last year on a trial basis. The farmers say, the production was good and fetched good prices. This time, the gewog agriculture extension office distributed 300 kilograms of Adzuki beans seeds to farmers.
“Last year, I grew the beans only on a few decimals since I grew the beans for the first time. The beans fetched a good price. This time, I have grown the crop on an acre. I have sowed all the five kilograms of seeds distributed by the gewog agriculture extension office,” said Sancha Maya Rai, a farmer in Sergithang Maed.
The farmers start sowing the beans in August and will be ready for market by February next year. Agriculture officials said the Agriculture Research and Development Center in Yusipang in Thimphu will help facilitate the export to Japan through the Flagship Organic Programme. The beans are used widely for baking cakes and manufacturing biscuits in Japan.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam
