Banana processing is becoming a promising business for Thridangbi residents of Saling Gewog in Monggar. By turning bananas into chips, farmers say they can earn nearly 10 times more than selling the fruit raw. And with processed chips lasting longer, locals no longer worry about bananas rotting in Monggar’s warm climate.
With favourable climatic conditions, farmers of Thridangbi in Saling Gewog grow a variety of crops and fruits.
In recent years, many have increasingly turned to banana cultivation. They sell their harvest to local producers who process the fruit into chips.
28-year-old Phuntsho Choden spends her days making banana chips.
She buys unripe bananas, paying Nu 3 for a piece. The fruit is peeled, rinsed, sliced, and fried for about 10 minutes in hot oil.
A single banana yields more than one packet of crispy chips.
Phuntsho Wangmo said, “A piece of the banana, which we use to make chips, is usually sold for Nu 10 if sold raw. However, we buy the fruit for Nu 3 per piece from the local market. When we process it into chips, we can earn Nu 60 for a packet, which is more profitable. Moreover, the demand is also higher for chips than the raw bananas.”
She also operates the public restrooms with a sales counter along the Bumthang-Monggar highway, providing her and other local vendors a space to sell local produce to travellers.
They sell banana chips, flattened corn, and other local produce.
Phuntsho Wangmo said, “I recently took part in a packaging and labelling training in Monggar town. I am planning to design proper packaging and labelling. Currently, I am using plastic, but I asked one of the trainers to help me procure materials for packaging. Once I receive that, I will properly package my produce.”
Dorji Wangmo, who started making banana chips just last year, said, “Puntsho asked me to make some for her. After that, I started making chips and started selling them on TikTok live. Thereafter, I started getting orders from as far as Trongsa.
Dorji Lhaden, a traveller said, “This is the first time I am tasting banana chips, and it is good. Moreover, it is produced locally without any additives, so I believe it is healthy as well.”
With growing demand and increasing interest among local women, Phuntsho believes the small venture could soon benefit both vendors and banana farmers while giving travellers a chance to taste locally made products.
Namgay Wangchuk, Monggar
Edited by Phub Gyem
