After investing much of their time and resources into cultivating chilli, farmers of Dewathang Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar have met with disappointingly low returns. The price for a kilogram of the spice has dropped by around Nu 120 this season compared to the previous year. This has created a sense of discouragement besides affecting their income.
Jangchub Lhamo, from Domphu village in Dewathang, usually earns up to Nu 30,000 from selling chilli. But, this year, with a decrease in chilli price in the market she says it will be difficult to make even Nu 1,000 from selling the spice.
Last year, the lowest price for the spice the villagers fetched was Nu 200 per kilogram. And this year, the highest they earn is Nu 80 for a kilogram.
“Before, our chilli used to fetch high prices and we did not have any problem in selling the spice. Now, we don’t fetch good prices. On top of that, the crop is getting damaged during heavy rainfall as we are unable to harvest,” said Jangchub Lhamo, a farmer from Dewathang Gewog.
“Last year, we could earn Nu 200 for a kilogram. But this year we are getting only Nu 80. We take the spice to Dewathang town to sell and sometimes we are unable to sell it. So, we have to leave the crop in the field without harvesting,” said Meto, another farmer.
“We take chilli to market to sell, but the price is less and without any option sometimes we end up selling the spice for Nu 50 to 60 per kilogram,” said Wangdi, also a farmer.
The drop in the price has also left the farmers discouraged from cultivating the spice hereafter.
“If we can fetch good price it keeps us motivated to do more agriculture work. But when prices are not good like this year, I feel discouraged to work,” said Jangchu Lhamo, a farmer.
“Fetching Nu 80 for a kilogram is not profitable for us as we have to hire workers paying Nu 300 per head,” added Meto, a farmer.
The Dewathang Gewog Agriculture Extension Office and Samdrup Jongkhar District Administration are currently helping the villagers in marketing the spice.
The District Administration says the price of chilli has decreased because of abundant supply in the market this time. Chilli harvest from Pema Gatshel, Trashigang, Monggar, and Trashi Yangtse are also brought to Samdrup Jongkhar town for sale.
To keep the farmers encouraged to continue cultivating the spice, the District Agriculture office says they are planning to produce value-added products including chilli powder and pickles.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Phub Gyem
