Cardamom plants in Bartsha-Namgyalgang Chiwog of Kana Gewog in Dagana are dying, leaving the farmers worried. The residents of the chiwog grow cardamom as the main cash crop. They say less or erratic rainfall this year is affecting the growth of cardamom plants adding that this is the first time the cardamom plants experienced such unfavorable weather for growth.
More than 90 per cent of the chiwog’s 108 households have been growing cardamom since the early 2000s.
Some farmers have been growing the cash crop on acres of land while a few of them grow on smaller areas depending on their landholdings.
Cardamom growers say until last year, growing the spice has been rewarding with a bountiful harvest owing to the favourable climatic conditions and timely rainfall.
However, this year farmers are already worried and skeptical about cardamom production for the next season. They say adequate rainfall is crucial for the growth of cardamom plants during the flowering season.
“We are worried this year since most cardamom plants are dying. This is because we didn’t receive timely rainfall and couldn’t even irrigate the field as the irrigation water is unreliable,” said Kado, a cardamom grower.
“In the past, cardamom plants used to be lush and healthy but this year the plants have been dying. Maybe it is due to climate change. Cardamom flowers are also wilting at the moment which will only revive if it rains,” said Rigzin Jamtsho, another cardamom grower.
“We cannot sell vegetables even if we grow them since our chiwog is located in a remote area. So, we depend on cardamom but now it is dying. We don’t have another source of income in the chiwog,” said Wangmo, also a cardamom grower.
“I have cultivated cardamom on around an acre of land. Last year, I collected around five sacks but this time I am expecting only around two sacks of the spice,” said Tshering Dorji, a cardamom grower.
“Cardamom plants bear better seeds only if flowers bloom well with adequate rainfall. When there is no adequate water for flowers, seed formation is affected which subsequently affects cardamom production,” said Tshering Wangchuk, a cardamom grower.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry is cautioning farmers not to bank on a single cash crop. The ministry said doing so will leave the farmers badly affected if the crop is damaged due to natural disasters.
A reliable market and better prices in the past few years have encouraged farmers in the chiwog to take up mass cardamom plantations. The chiwog is located around two hours drive from Dagapela town.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Phub Gyem
