Farmers in Sarpang district grow betel nut in abundance. And farmers sell it at a lower price in bordering towns like Assam. The peeled betel nut is then imported at a much higher price. So, to reduce the cash outflow and dependency on imports, a group of farmers started a betel nut de-husking plant in Chhuzergang last year.
Until now, Tashi Phendey Group procured betel nuts from 121 households of Chhuzanggang and Serzhong Gewogs. The group buys the betel nut at Nu 4,500 per quintal.
In the past, people sold it at Nu 4,000 to 4,500 per quintal to India.
“Purchasing local doma and peeling from the unit is cheaper. We don’t have to travel to Gelephu and don’t have to bear travel expenses,” said Narimaya Dungana, a shopkeeper.
“We purchase from the unit as we get it at a cheaper rate. It’s of no use buying an expensive one,” said Tejmaya Tiwari, another shopkeeper.
The de-husking plant removes the shell of the areca nuts. The peeled betel nut is then sold in the country.
The group so far sold more than 10,000 kilograms of peeled betel nut to Bumthang and Trongsa. A pon or 80 pieces of peeled betel nut cost Nu 350 to 450 depending on the size.
“We sold our products to other dzongkhags and made a profit of about Nu 259,000. We are running our business with this money. We are unable to procure in huge quantities due to lack of funds,” said Pema Tshechu, the Chairperson of Tashi Phendey Group.
Sarpang dzongkhag alone produces about 5,000 tonnes of betel nuts annually. The Dzongkhag Administration supported the group to set up the machine at the cost of Nu 1 M.
As per the Bhutan Trade Statistics 2021, the country imported betel nut worth more than Nu 205 M while the export of betel nut was just a little more than Nu 180 M, last year.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Tshering Zam
