Growing early Bhutanese chillies has become a lucrative venture for farmers of Sergithang Gewog in Tsirang, following a successful trial in 2020. This year, farmers in Tashithang Chiwog are targeting a production of over 114 metric tonnes of green chillies. Early Bhutanese chillies from Tsirang reach the market ahead of other districts every year.
Fields in Tashithang Chiwog are fully covered with mulching plastics, thanks to support from the Advancing Climate Resilience of Water Sector Project. The distribution of mulching plastics since last year has encouraged more farmers to take up chilli cultivation.
Mulching plastics help retain soil warmth, allowing chilli plants to thrive during the cold winter.
This year, nearly all 105 households in the chiwog are cultivating early Bhutanese chilli locally known as Sha-Aema, across more than 71 acres. Warmer weather has already triggered early flowering, promising a good harvest ahead.
“Every farmer here grows early Bhutanese chilli. Other vegetables don’t grow well at this time of the year, but chillies grow well. Looking at the chilli saplings, we are expecting a good yield this year. Chilli plants are healthier compared to last year,” said Dhana Pati Sanyasi, Farmer, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
“We earn a good income growing early Bhutanese chillies. We earn between Nu 3,000 and 4,000 from selling chillies,” said Jai Kumar, Farmer, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
“Without mulching plastics, chilli plants don’t grow well. We tried adding manure and adequate water, but still the chilli plants didn’t grow well. Similarly, we covered chilli plants using dried leaves and hay, but it didn’t work,” said D.B Ghalley, Gewog Agriculture Extension Supervisor, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
However, farmers remain concerned about fluctuating market prices especially when imported green chillies enter the market during the same period.
“We get between Nu 300 and 500 during the first harvest. However, prices drop to Nu 200 or even lower during the second harvest. This is because many of us are growing chillies on a large scale,” said Dhana Pati Sanyasi, Farmer, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
“A kilogram of green chillies fetches Nu 300 only if we can sell early. Prices fall later even though the market prices remain high,” said Yamuna Sanyasi, Farmer, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
“Although the gewog produces the country’s earliest Bhutanese green chillies, imported chillies hit the market. Farmers say, this affects prices of local chillies despite the hard work required to grow the chillies during winter,” said D.B Ghalley, Gewog Agriculture Extension Supervisor, Sergithang Gewog, Tsirang.
The harvest of early Bhutanese chillies from Sergithang Gewog is expected to begin by the end of next month.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam Pem
