Dori farmers of Lumang Gewog in Trashigang seem to have found their source of motivation to expand sugarcane cultivation. Two sugarcane juice expeller machines, which the gewog provided in 2023, encouraged them grow canes on a larger scale, leading to increased production and better income.
Sugarcane harvest is underway in Dori village.
Farmers here have been growing cane for years, primarily for self-consumption.
Previously, they relied on traditional wooden tools for juice extraction, a process that was labour-intensive and inefficient. Due to the heavy workload and low output, some farmers had even dropped cultivating sugarcane altogether.
That practice changed over the last few years after the gewog administration provided them with two sugarcane juice extraction machines in 2023 at a cost of 250,000 ngultrum each.
The machines, installed at Drupkhang in Lumang and Kharphu in Kurchilu Chiwog, have significantly reduced their workload and increased juice production.
“Now, we are earning more. Previously, we could make only around Nu 5,000 to 6,000 which now increased to up to Nu 15,000. We are also planning to expand cultivation since we have the machine,” said Ugyen Zangmo, a resident of Dori.
Another resident Tshering Zangmo said, “The traditional method was very laborious. So, we did not cultivate on a large scale. Now, more farmers are keen on growing the crop as we have a machine. I think it will be more profitable to grow sugarcane now and I plan to cultivate more this season.”
“After receiving the expeller machine, the production increased. From producing around 2,000 litres of sugarcane juice last year, the production is expected to increase to up to 4000 litres this year as farmers have started to cultivate more, encouraged by the machine,” said Dorji Wangchuk, also a resident of Dori.
Farmers make jaggery out of sugarcane juice.
Sugarcane juice is boiled for around six hours for purification until it thickens and solidifies. The thickened sugar is then poured into conical shapes to make jaggery, which is sold for Nu 50 per piece in Wamrong town and nearby districts.
Currently, Lumang Gewog has around 60 households cultivating sugarcane on around 4 acres of land.
Some farmers have already begun preparing for the next planting season by preserving sugarcane stalks in water to ensure healthy growth in the coming year.
With access to improved technology and farming practices, sugarcane growers in Lumang remain hopeful of further expanding cultivation in the coming years.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
