The best ideas often stem from simple observations. This is true for a couple in Tsangkha Gewog in Dagana. After experiencing strawberry farming first-hand and attending various agricultural training programmes, the couple found a new inspiration. They turned their vision into reality by venturing into mass strawberry farming. Today, their family is one of the first large-scale strawberry growers in the district, earning a decent income.
Pemba Lhamo and her husband are growing about 2500 strawberry plants in four greenhouses.
The berries are ripe. A new harvest is about to take place.
On Saturdays, the couple picks the berries and delivers them to resorts and hotels in Paro, Punakha and Thimphu.
They grow three varieties of strawberries. The plants bear fruit from November to April when most strawberry farms across the country experience a lean season.
A kilogramme of the berries is sold as high as Nu 1500.
Pemba Lhamo said, “Currently, strawberry production in the country is very minimal, and we rely heavily on imports. So I thought that we could grow strawberries locally and supply them to Gelephu Mindfulness City in the future. The strawberries I grow here are purely organic, grown using only topsoil.”
The couple harvested 400 kilograms of strawberries last year. This allowed them to pay off their debts. They started the farm in 2023, investing around 300,000 ngultrum.
She added, “Due to water scarcity in my area, I was not sure what to pursue. However, later I enquired with my gewog agriculture extension supervisor about the feasibility of growing strawberries. The official assured me that the altitude in the area is suitable for growing strawberries, which led me to choose this path.”
The Agriculture Research Development Centre in Wangdue Phodrang provided the greenhouses on a cost-sharing basis.
Pemba attended an advanced permaculture training and farmers’ exchange programme in Europe in 2022 and 2023. She says these trainings have equipped her with skills to upgrade her farm.
“I plan to add one greenhouse yearly, as our budget does not allow for large-scale expansion. Recently, I also attended a two-week training on new business creation through De-suung Skilling Programme. They mentioned interest-free loans, so I am preparing to pitch my business idea to financial institutions soon. I am not sure if I will be selected but I will try once,” said Pemba.
However, the couple faces challenges such as packaging limitations, lack of fully automated greenhouses, unreliable irrigation, and transportation issues.
They hope officials will step in to address these hurdles.
The perseverance and dedication of this young couple show their resilience and contribute to securing a sustainable future through farming.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Sangay Chezom
