Cardamom growers in Keptang-Tsholingkhar chiwog of Martshala Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar are facing a bitter reality as cardamom plants are dying. The prized spice is one of the main cash crops for them. The farmers are worried as they depend on the income from the sale of the spice.
Last year, Dawa Tenzin from Tsholingkhar village earned Nu 50,000 from selling cardamom.
However, this year, he is disheartened as his cardamom plants on one acre of land have succumbed to some disease.
“During winter, cardamom plants used to get damaged by frost, and some are damaged by pests. Farmers here started planting cardamom as it fetch good prices but it is of no use as the plants are now dying,” said Dawa Tenzin, a farmer.
“First the leaves started to die, and then the cardamom plants began dying. After that, the plants are unable to bear fruits. I heard cardamom is fetching Nu 1000 per kilogramme this time but we don’t have any cardamom to sell,” said Karma Zangmo, another farmer.
“Cardamom plants started to die from the leaves. Last year, nothing affected the production and I produced about 120 kilogrammes of cardamom. But this year, I don’t think I will be able to produce much as the cardamom plants have died. Last year, I could earn Nu 50,000. I won’t be able to fetch that amount this year. I have not harvested the spice yet but I think I will be able to produce only 20 kilogrammes this time,” said Drupchu Zangmo, who is also a farmer.
According to the Gewog Agriculture Extension Officer, the cardamom plants are affected by rhizome rot.
He says most of the affected villagers have brought and planted infected cardamom saplings without consulting the agriculture officer.
He added that most of the cardamom fields are located far from settlements where villagers are unable to detect the disease immediately.
Meanwhile, the agriculture officer is urging villagers to consult with them before purchasing the saplings.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Phub Gyem
