It has been a rewarding season for cardamom growers in most parts of the country. In Pema Gatshel, the increase in both demand and price for the spice this time has left the farmers encouraged to continue growing the crop in the future. Some of the cardamom growers in the district say they are already looking forward to planting more cardamom saplings on their fallow lands hereafter. Around 2000 households in the district cultivate the spice as a cash crop.
Cardamom growers of Labar village at Khar Gewog are reaping the benefits of their hard work. Cardamom, known for its distinctive aroma and taste, has always been a valuable spice in the market. In recent years, its demand has soared, leading to a significant rise in prices.
This time, they are able to fetch between Nu 800 to Nu 900 per kilogram from their doorstep. This is an increase of more than Nu 300 compared to the past years.
“In the past, we didn’t get to earn much by growing cash crops. Today, although we are growing old, we are still looking forward to work as we know that cardamom is a good source of income,” said Ugyen Seldon, a cardamom grower in Labar village.
Other farmers of Labar are equally overjoyed with the earnings from the crop this season. 30 households in the village grow cardamom.
“This year, I have planted an additional 800 to 900 saplings. And, I am planning to cultivate more in the coming years,” said Dupchu Wangdi, a cardamom farmer at Labar in Khar Gewog.
“I also started growing cardamom drawing inspiration from those who are making good income from the sale of the spice. I have heard that the price of cardamom will keep increasing. So, I plan to continue growing the spice in the future,” added Ugyen Norbu, another cardamom farmer at Labar.
Growing the spice requires patience and effort. Nonetheless, the returns from the sale of the crop have attracted more farmers in Khar to venture into cardamom cultivation since it was first introduced in the gewog in 2010.
Many farmers are now utilising their fallow lands, turning them into fertile grounds for cultivating cardamom.
The favorable climatic conditions in Pema Gatshel make it an ideal location for growing this prized spice.
“It is always better to cultivate cardamom instead of leaving the lands fallow. So, I am cultivating the spice in the land that has been left uncultivated for many years,” added Dupchu.
“We have plans to cultivate even more in our fallow land. We can work as we have this culture of helping each other with farm works,” said Dunpa, one of the cardamom farmers in Labar.
The agriculture sector and the Gewog Administration have also supported the farmers by supplying saplings to boost cultivation in the past years.
Most of the cardamom farmers earn up to over Nu 100,000 every season by selling the spice.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Phub Gyem
