For the people of Khalatsho village under Chhoekhorling Gewog in Pema Gatshel, one of the key sources of income comes from selling areca nut. And while the fermented and peeled product fetches more money, it is challenging since they do the work manually. But their concerns are expected to be solved soon as they will be getting a betel nut dehusking machine from the Gewog Office soon.
What once started as a trial has become a successful venture today. After seeing the Indian villages successfully grow betel nut trees, the residents of Khalatsho also decided to do the same. This was more than a decade ago. Today, the village of around 10 households is surrounded by areca palm trees.
The curing process involves washing the nuts and putting them in water-filled containers that are then covered with plastic sheets and sealed tightly. After keeping it sealed for about five months, the nuts are taken out of the containers, dried, and then peeled. And the peeling or dehusking of the nuts is the most tiresome process, according to people.
“We earn more if we can sell the peeled nuts. But the dehusking task is a very difficult one, we have to do it manually with a knife. So, we can’t dehusk all the nuts we harvest,” said Sonam Wangmo, a betel nut grower in the village.
Another resident Dechen also says the work is very challenging. “I cannot peel off even one pon of doma in a day. I am old, so I cannot do it properly.”
“It is very difficult for us. Since we do it with our hands, we can only peel a limited number in a day,” said Nima Lhamo.
The Arden-Khalatsho Tshogpa, Sangay Dorji, said he is planning to put up the issue with the Gewog Administration Office. “People have started planting more areca nut trees, which means there will be more yield. So I think the need for a dehusking machine has become crucial,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chhoekhorling Gup said although he wasn’t aware of the issue before, he is ready to offer support.
“I think such a machine will help bring economic prosperity which will in turn help encourage the young people to stay back in the village, it will produce more finished products within a short time and reach the market faster than today,” said the Chhoekhorling Gup, Kinzang Rabten. The Gup says the office will purchase a dehusking machine for the village from their next year’s budget.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
