Farmers in Pema Gatshel are gradually producing their own oil. From sunflower to groundnut oil production, farmers are showing increasing interest in becoming self-sufficient. This time, it is the people of Chhiphung who are planning to produce groundnut oil.
All twenty households in the chiwog cultivate groundnuts.
From next season, they are planning to expand the cultivation so that they can start producing oil.
Dorji Choden, a farmer said, “In the past, we cultivated only a small quantity. But with the growing demand in the market, we have gradually expanded our cultivation.”
Leki Wangpo, another farmer said, “We started cultivating more after fetching 100 to 150 ngultrum per kilogramme.”
However, they do not have a processing machine yet.
Leki Wangpo added that “We were told that we will receive an oil processing machine, so most of us are planning to cultivate more. I am hoping to cultivate on an acre of land this time.”
Dorji Choden said that “We don’t have shops nearby, so we usually bring oil from faraway places. If we get the machines here, we’re ready to process it ourselves.”
If all goes as planned, Chhiphung will soon join the growing number of oil producing communities in the district, a small but meaningful step towards rural self-reliance and food security.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Tshering Zam
