Unlike last year, this season, chilli growers of Bayphoo-shod and Wangringmoo in Trashi Yangtse are not worried over the declining price of the spice. Today, even after three weeks since the first harvest hit local markets, a kilogram of green chilli is fetching Nu 300 on an average.
Bayphoo-shod and Wangringmoo villagers are among the early producers of green chilli in mass in the country. And until this season, it was only during the initial period that they enjoyed a good price. Last year, from Nu 330 per kilogram, the price gradually dropped to Nu 80 by this time.
“Actually the price for our local green chilli falls right after the first production. But this year, we are still fetching a good price. We sell it for a reasonable rate that compensates our hard work involved,” said Kelzang Tshomo, a farmer from Wangringmoo under Ramjar Gewog in Trashi Yangtse.
Besides the existing ban on import of green chillies, the Coronavirus pandemic led to soaring demands at a steady price. Farmers said they receive phone calls from vegetable vendors for supply of green chilli. Some middlemen even come and collect the harvest straight from the fields.
Tenzin Dorji, also a farmer from the same village said the price in the market depends on the vendors. “Regarding the price, it depends on the sellers. Some might charge high while others would keep it low. But from our side, we are keeping the price affordable considering the difficult situation our country is going through. Unfortunately, as farmers, we are not in a position to give it for free,” he added.
People of Yalang and Ramjar Gewogs are growing green chilli in 33 acres of land. The harvest will be available in the market until the end of this month.
Meanwhile, the district agriculture sector recently supplied around 1.3 metric tonnes of green chilli to Thimphu. It is expected to produce 69 metric tonnes of the spice this season, which is an increase by around 11 metric tonnes compared to last year.
Sonam Darjay
