All is well with the areca nut business in Samdrup Jongkhar. While Doma exporters in some southern districts are struggling to find a market, local traders in Samdrup Jongkhar are enjoying a favourable business this year. Areca nut is one of the main cash crops for many farmers in Samdrup Jongkhar.
Most of the farmers in the gewogs of Phuentshothang, Pemathang, Samrang, and Langchenphu in Samdrup Jongkhar sell their areca nut to local traders directly from the orchard.
From harvesting to transportation, the traders do all the work. They bring it to Samdrup Jongkhar and exporters based in Samdrup Jongkhar export it to India.
According to traders, the good price of the nut keeps them going even though the lockdowns and unseasonal rainfall affected their business.
“Last year we could only get Nu 29 a kg, but this year it has increased to Nu 30-40. We faced difficulties even in paying the labourers last year, but this won’t be a problem this year since we are getting a good price,” said Raghunath, a Local Trader in Phuntshothang Gewog.
“The price in the village is Nu 40-41 for a kilogram. When we take it to Samdrup Jongkhar, exporters give us Nu 44 to 45. Some exporters also offer Nu 46,” added Ngawang Sherab, also a Local Trader in the same gewog.
Some Doma exporters in Samdrup Jongkhar say the areca nut production in the district has increased by 20 to 30 per cent this year compared to last year. Moreover, they say the quality is also good this time.
Doma export from Samdrup Jongkhar started on March 22. So far, more than 412 tonnes of Doma have been exported to India. About 500 tonnes or 50 truckloads of Doma were exported to India from Samdrup Jongkhar, last year.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sonam
