The cultivation of pineapples is steadily rising each year in Pema Gatshel. Traditionally, farmers have focused solely on selling the fruit in local markets and factories, making it a vital source of income for many in the region. However, an innovative graduate from Durungri is preparing to transform pineapple leaves into a valuable textile fibre.
Durungri village, located in Dungmin Gewog is known affectionately as “Shompar ga Duung” meaning “Pineapple Village”. This community thrives with farmers who reap the rewards of their hard work, harvesting the fruit twice a year. Yet, despite the abundance of pineapples, tonnes of leaves are still discarded and burned.
27-year-old Tashi Wangchuk is determined to establish a pineapple yarn processing unit shortly. After graduating in 2022, he chose to remain with his parents to help expand their pineapple cultivation efforts.
Tashi began assisting his parents while focusing on enhancing their orchard. An innovative idea sparked during his daily tasks when he encountered an unexpected challenge. While using a grass cutter to clear the underbrush, he noticed the pineapple leaves repeatedly snagging the blade. On one occasion, while pulling at a particularly stubborn leaf, he accidentally cut his hand.
“As I lay in bed that night, I stared at my hand and thought about how the leaf had caused the injury. Intrigued, I turned to the internet. That’s when I stumbled upon a site called Ananas Anam. It revealed to me that pineapple leaves aren’t just waste; they are actually a raw material for textiles.”
Motivated by his newfound knowledge, Tashi spent over a year exploring potential support by visiting various offices in the capital. Yet, progress remained elusive, as he lacked tangible results to present. Undeterred, he began experimenting with manual methods to extract the fibre from the leaves.
“This fibre has a jelly-like quality. After extraction, we rinse it in water and let it dry for a day. Then comes carding and spinning to create final products like shirts and bags.”
Recently, Tashi received crucial support from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment, which will provide him with a decorticator machine. He eagerly anticipates its arrival, as it will mark the beginning of his textile processing journey.
Currently, there are nearly 100 acres of pineapple orchards in Pema Gatshel, presenting a wealth of opportunities for sustainable innovation.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Kipchu
