Cardamom cultivation is gradually gaining momentum in Pema Gatshel’s Khar Gewog, with Labar village being one of the key areas where every household cultivates this cash crop. The shift towards mass cultivation began after receiving support from the UNDP in 2021. Since then, the crops have started to fruit, contributing to an increase in income and improving the livelihoods of the people.
Labar, once one of the least developed villages in Khar Gewog relied heavily on maize and other cereals for sustenance.
However, a few years ago, the villagers made a transition to cardamom cultivation as a cash crop, although the initial attempts were not very successful.
However, through the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, they were supplied with cardamom saplings, which have since proven to be a game-changer.
30 households were supplied 1800 saplings each, covering over 40 acres of land.
Lekzang Dorji, a farmer said “In the past, we only planted a few, but with the support of the UNDP project, we have started mass cultivation. With the income, I have been able to renovate my house, build a new kitchen, and provide education for my children.”
Duenpa Dorji, another farmer said “This project has been extremely helpful for us. We have expanded our fields with the saplings we received. This has made it easier for us to send our children to school. Additionally, we are able to save our earnings.”
Likewise, Tshering Chojay said “With this income, I was able to replace my roof with CGI sheets. “To ensure sustainability, we are cultivating in batches. Once the plants age and stop yielding well, I have set aside some saplings to transplant this season.”
To further enhance their incomes, villagers continue to look for ways to expand their cardamom fields.
The project focused on soil and land management including the planting of Napier grass, vetiver, fodder plants, fruit trees, stone trenching, and improving soil fertility.
Besides Labar, the project also supported Bongman village of the same gewog.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Tshering Zam
