The number of hazelnut growers has been gradually increasing in the country. Until last year, hazelnuts were cultivated in 18 districts, but this year, Samtse had its first hazelnut orchards. This development is part of a broader trend, with more farmers embracing hazelnut cultivation and the grafting programme showing progress.
36,000 hazelnut saplings were distributed covering over 180 acres in Samtse. The saplings were distributed to farmers in Dumtoed, Tendu, Duenchhukha, Norgaygang and Dophuchen in July.
The country has seen an increase in hazelnut sapling distribution, with 125,000 new saplings already provided to growers this year. These saplings are sourced from the nursery at Ngatshang in Monggar.
Choki Dorji, nursery manager of Mountain Hazelnuts Venture said “the nursery spans an area of around eight acres. We have around one million saplings. We have the variety that can be grown in the fields.”
Jambay Dema, an employee of Mountain Hazelnuts Venture said “we select the best saplings to send to the field. We make the selection because farmers only want the best ones. Initially, most people said the trees are not fruiting.”
Last year alone, 450 acres of new hazelnut orchards have been established across the country.
Jambay Dema added that “we started grafting in 2019 and we heard that the trees started fruiting after that. In Monggar as well, a few farmers carried out grafting and said the harvest was good. Hence, I think most people are coming forward to plant hazelnuts.”
Today, there are 4,300 acres of hazelnut orchards in the country with 7,927 active growers. According to the Mountain Hazelnuts Venture, Sarpang is the only district without hazelnut growers due to its altitude.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Hazelnuts Venture, the company has plans to expand the cultivation to more than 10,000 acres with the current system and facilities.
Currently, there are 900,000 hazelnut trees under cultivation in the country. The company plans to triple the figure in the next five years.
Devika Pradhan
