Normally, strawberry is mostly grown in high-altitude areas where the relatively low-temperature condition is considered more suitable for its growth. However, a little strange as it may sound, the soft fruit can be grown in the southern foothills of the country too. For instance, the first venture of strawberry farming in Samtse has become a success story today, proving many doubters wrong.
Leaving his previous job in Thimphu, 48-year-old Jit Bdr Galley from Damzhagsa village in Norbugang Gewog, came back to his village to start strawberry farming. At the initial stage of the project, he said that many had doubted his idea. The temperature in Samtse can soar to above 30 degrees Celsius in summer. And the soft fruit is known to grow best only in places where the temperature remains between 16 to 24 degrees Celsius. But confident of what he was doing, Jit Bdr planted nearly 300 saplings of strawberry in his greenhouse last year. And today his strawberry plants started bearing fruits.
“Earlier, I used to work in one of the private agriculture farms in Thimphu. I worked there for about eight years and I resigned voluntarily to start this venture here at my village,” said Jit Bdr.
Not only did he discover the fruit is growable in Samtse but also found out that the quality is promising with constant care. “Through my observations, I found the production is more here in Samtse than in cold places like Thimphu. And I also found out that both the quality and the colour of strawberries grown here are good. It is a profitable business and I think it can be a good source of income if one can start strawberry farms here too.”
And since last month, Jit Bdr has managed to sell about 20 kilograms of strawberry in Samtse. He further added, without any competitor in the market, his strawberry get sold out within a few hours.
“I charge Nu 600 for a kilogram of strawberry here. Everyone is buying and enjoying the fruit here in Samtse and Chengmari. I am also getting orders from Phuentshogling and Thimphu. And one good thing about this fruit is that the more you take care of the fruit the better harvest it gives. I am very happy with my business.”
Along with strawberries, Jit Bdr also grows tomatoes, mushrooms, and other vegetables in his other greenhouse. He said he had invested almost Nu 500,000 in the construction of greenhouses, saplings, and other farming equipment. Still, Jit Bdr Galley wants to go further. If provided with more greenhouses and technical support from the agriculture sector, he dreams to expand his business and help contribute to the country’s goal of achieving food self-sufficiency.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Phub Gyem
