Cassava is widely used in Bhutan for making flour. In some places, it is a staple food source. In the past, farmers only cultivated for personal consumption. However, some villages in Pema Gatshel are expanding cassava cultivation for flour production. They even sell it to piggery farms as feed. Goishing-Ridzommo Chiwog has embraced the shift, and cassava has become a major source of income for the community.
Cassava plants are growing in abundance in Goishing-Ridzommo. In the past, the farmers depended on oranges. Over time, however, the production declined, prompting the villagers to explore alternative crops, like cassava. They were inspired by their neighbours in Mongar, who had successfully adopted cassava cultivation.
“The orange trees have died, and we were left with no source of income. So, we decided to try cassava cultivation. And now we are earning from it” said Choni Dorji, a farmer.
“We had no other source of income, so we were advised to start cultivating cassava. And that’s what we did,” said Thukten, a farmer.
Now, the cassava plants are fully matured, and it’s time to harvest. The farmers said they never faced difficulties selling this crop. The dried cassava is supplied to the National Piggery Development Centre in Gelephu. The chiwog harvested more than thirty metric tons of cassava last year.
However, farmers keep some to feed their cattle, as it serves as a substitute for Karma Feed, reducing their costs.
Thukten said, “In the future, if they stop buying our cassava, it won’t stop us from cultivating it. But if the government provides us with a machine, we could grind it into flour and use it ourselves.”
“By producing our own flour, we can reduce imports and be more self-sufficient. We just need the machines to do it,” said Choni Dorji.
The local authority is discussing to acquire a flour-processing machine for the village. However, there are concerns that if the machine is supplied, it might affect the supply of dried cassava to the centre.
Goishing-Ridzommo Chiwog Tshogpa Thungsi Norbu, “If the centre is unable to take the cassava, they might inform us in advance. The gewog administration plans to provide the machine as soon as possible”
Meanwhile, the villagers of Ridzommo continue to expand their cassava fields. In the next few years, the plan is to fill all their fallow lands with cassava.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
