Quinoa farming is gradually gaining popularity among farmers in Tsirang’s Sergithang Gewog. Farmers say that improved market access and the crop’s high nutritional value have encouraged them to expand cultivation. The Tsirang district administration identified quinoa as ‘One Gewog One Product’ for Sergithang Gewog two years ago.
Quinoa is not entirely new to farmers in the gewog, as cultivation began in 2015. However, farmers initially faced marketing challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted sales, forcing many to give up the crop for a few years.
With support from the relevant agencies, farmers resumed cultivation two years ago.
Currently, quinoa, often referred to as a superfood, is widely grown in the four chiwogs of Sergithang Maed, Tashithang, Semdenjong and Norbugang covering over 20 acres of land. Some farmers have already started harvesting while others are waiting for the crop to mature. Farmers say quinoa requires adequate manure for a good yield.
For the past two years, the Food and Agriculture Organisation has been supplying quinoa seeds and providing financial support for production-related training.
“If we grow more, we can earn a good income from quinoa. It only requires hard work and dedication. Eating quinoa meals continuously for a week keeps our body healthy,” said Lam Dukpa, Farmer, Sergithang Maed, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
“My parents plan to increase production next year. Earlier, we cultivated the crop on a small plot, but after earning a good income last year, we have expanded the production this year,” said Ganga Maya Sanyasi, Farmer, Tashithang, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
“When more customers buy quinoa, we are encouraged to increase the production,” said Budi Maya Rai, Farmer, Sergithang Maed, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
The government has identified quinoa as a priority crop in the current Five-Year-Plan due to its high nutritional value and for income generation potential. The Gewog Agriculture Extension Office expects to produce over 10 metric tonnes of quinoa this year.
“All farmers have now started cultivating quinoa. In the past, farmers sold the crop through the government’s buy-back initiative. Since last year, farmers have been selling themselves. We also take quinoa to the Tsirang Natural outlet and sell it to staff in the district,” said Dhan Ghalley, Gewog Agriculture Extension Supervisor, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
He added that more farmers are likely to take up cultivation and expand production if market access improves and a designated market is provided for the crop.
Farmers in the gewog were also trained in product development and value addition towards the end of last year.
Quinoa was first introduced to Bhutan in 2015 from Peru in South America, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam Pem
