The tradition of chewing domapaney is as old as the country’s history. Areca nut wrapped in betel leaf with a pinch of lime is part of every occasion. It is also a symbol of hospitality, friendship, and goodwill. However, despite Bhutanese being fond of domapaney, peeled areca nut available in the market is imported while the country exports unpeeled areca nuts to India. In Pema Gatshel, farmers in Norbugang Gewog’s Tenzinwama village are now looking forward to selling peeled areca nuts and earning more. Our Pema Gatshel bureau correspondent sent in this report.
Most farmers in southern Pema Gatshel have been growing areca nuts for over a decade. Today, areca nut is the cash crop for the farmers in Tenzinwama and their produce is on the rise, annually.
Without a facility to peel the areca nuts, farmers have been exporting them to India through local traders.
Not for long though. An areca nut peeling machine is on the way, and they are looking forward to adding value to the product.
“We sell the areca nuts before it’s matured. It would be better to let the nuts mature before selling them. A peeling machine would be beneficial. If we have one, we will sell it after peeling,” said Tashi Dorji, a resident.
“If we are provided such support, it will make our task easier. After peeling the product, it will also improve the quality. So, we can sell it at a higher price in the future,” said Kezang Wangdi, another resident.
“It is a loss for us if we sell like before based on weights and numbers. If we have the machine, it would be better to peel and sell it,” said Tshewang Pemo, also a resident.
“Peeling manually is time-consuming and difficult for us. If we are given the machine, it would benefit us,” said Tashi Norbu, a resident.
Tenzinwama farmers said they grow areca nuts on most of the land they own. Those with fallow land have also started growing areca nuts.
“For areca nuts, we just clear the bushes after plantation. So, everyone here says growing areca nut is better than any other seasonal crops,” added Tashi Dorji.
“Last year the yield was not good. It is better this year. So, we are hoping we might earn more if we sell after peeling,” said Karma Cheki.
“The earning depends on the yield. If the yield is good, we can earn up to Nu 40,000 a year,” said Tashi Norbu.
According to a district agriculture official, the department of economic and tech diplomacy under the foreign affairs and external trade ministry has agreed to support Nu 1 M to procure the areca nut machine.
People of Satsaloo and Tenzinwama villages exported eight truckloads of areca nuts, last year.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sherub Dorji
