The commercial production of cherry pepper, popularly as dalley, has turned out to be a failure in Maenbi Gewog in Lhuentse. The cherry pepper was introduced for the first time in the dzongkhag as commercial activity to enhance income generation.
The plantation was piloted with 36 farmers in Maenbi gewog. Farmers received free seeds and were familiarized on care and management of cherry pepper.
The programme, initiated by Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was expected to enter the market this summer. But the collaborative effort could not materialise as expected.
“All farmers were made to plant the cherry pepper. We planted it, as we would make good income. But after planting it, it was all damaged by the hailstorm this year,” said a farmer, Sangay Khandu.
Only three farmers could successfully grow the pepper.
They escaped the damage by planting the pepper in greenhouses.
Next year, the gewog will receive free seeds.
To make the programme successful, the Gewog Agriculture Office will help farmers grow the pepper.
Despite losing all the plants to hailstorm, readily available market and good income have driven the farmers to look forward for the next season.
“Cherry pepper fetches good prices so if we earn good income, I will be able to support my family,” said a farmer, Sonam Dorji.
Farmers will grow pepper in May, next year. The cultivation is also an effort to diversify rural activities and substitute imports.
