Farmers in southern districts have always taken advantage of warmer climatic conditions. They grow vegetables and crops earlier than those in higher altitudes. While some parts of the country remain covered in thick blankets of snow, farmers in Tsirang are gearing up to harvest the year’s first batch of early Bhutanese chillies. Every year, chillies from Tsirang hit the markets first, fetching good prices.
Kharka Singh Chhetri is among the few farmers cultivating early Bhutanese chillies in Sunkosh Chiwog of Rangthangling Gewog. As he weeds his thriving chilli plants, he is also getting ready for the first harvest. He plans to deliver the chillies to the Sunday Vegetable Market in Damphu this weekend.
After mandarin trees dried up and cardamom plants failed to thrive, the early Bhutanese chilli has become the primary cash crop for the farmers in the chiwog since 2009.
Kharka Singh Chhetri said, “If we don’t grow cash crops like the early Bhutanese chillies, earning income would be difficult for us. We save money from selling chillies for household expenditures and farm work during winter. We had a tough time in the past since mandarin trees completely dried and cardamoms don’t grow here. But chilli cultivation has helped us earn a steady income over the years.”
With the spice grown in over fifty decimals of his wetland, Kharka is expecting to earn around Nu 60,000 this season. A kilogramme of chilli fetches Nu 400 to 500.
Although labour-intensive, Kharka says, the favourable climatic conditions and adequate irrigation water have helped them with bountiful harvest every year.
He said, “The income from selling chillies helps us cover our children’s school expenses. The money helps us in buying school uniforms and essential edible items at home.”
Like Kharka, a few other farmers in the chiwog also grow the chillies for commercial purposes.
“Besides chillies, we cultivate vegetables like cabbage, which provides a good income. But chilli is our main cash crop helping us fetch a decent income. If we can grow them early, we can earn even higher prices,” said Karma Dema, a farmer.
Other major chilli-growing gewogs, such as Sergithang are also preparing to harvest their chilli in the coming weeks.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
