In Durungri village in Pema Gatshel, pineapples are bringing more than just a sweet harvest. What began as a small community initiative has grown into a promising source of income for farmers. Today, the Durungri Pineapple Group supplies far more pineapples than it did when it started in 2022, earning millions of ngultrum and creating better opportunities for its members.
Known as Bhutan’s Pineapple Village, Durungri is currently in its harvest season. Farmers harvest pineapples twice a year, during summer and winter, and sell their produce to Bhutan Agro in Monggar, the group’s regular buyer for nearly six years.
At around 45 ngultrum a kilogram, each household earns between 22,000 and 250,000 ngultrum annually from pineapple sales.
Kinga Wangmo, a farmer from Durungri, says pineapple is the main cash crop for the community.
“Besides pineapple, we do not have other cash crops. We grow maize, but pineapple farming is significant here. I make around 50,000 ngultrum, while some even earn more than 100,000 ngultrum annually.”
The group has recorded a significant increase in production since its formation. Dampay, a member of the group, says it supplied only 13 metric tonnes in 2022, compared to nearly 79 tonnes during this summer season.
“In 2022, our group produced and supplied only 13 metric tonnes. But this summer season alone, we have already supplied nearly 79 tonnes,” says Dampay.
With a reliable market and better returns, farmers are also expanding their plantations.
Gyeltshen Wangmo, a farmer from Durungri, says pineapple farming has improved her income, allowing her to expand cultivation to about an acre of land.
“Before, I did not earn much, but now I earn better. I have already expanded my cultivation to about an acre of land, and I want to plant more.” she said.
The group now has 50 members cultivating pineapples on 40 acres of land.
So far this year, the group has earned around four and a half million ngultrum from selling about 100 metric tonnes of pineapples.
If the farmers maintain this spirit in the years to come, the growing pineapple trade could open up new opportunities and turn their fields into a promising source of livelihood.
Sonam Darjay
Edited by Passang
