The Mountain Hazelnut Venture private limited is all geared up to distribute the second batch of hazelnut saplings to the farmers. The company expects to distribute one million saplings this year.
Last year, the Mountain Hazelnut venture distributed about hundred and seventy thousand saplings to around one thousand farmers in the eastern dzongkhags. The second batch will be distributed starting next month. It will be given free of cost. The saplings will be distributed free of cost from the two nurseries in Lingmethang and Ngatshang, Monggar.
Sonam Rabten, a Senior Quality Control Officer said, “Bhutan is meant to be a hazelnut nation. It is amazing that the plants are growing very well”, he added.
The Head of the Agricultural Operation, said that he is confident that the venture will be a success in Bhutan.We plan to plant approximately 10 million trees over the next five to six years said Sean Watson.
The Managing Director of Mountain Hazelnut Venture Justin Finnegan, said in future the company plans to move towards central Bhutan and eventually to the west.
The Mountain Hazelnut Venture currently operates the largest hazelnut nursery in the world in Lingmethang, Monggar. The company aims to plant ten million hazelnut tress throughout Bhutan and in the next 10 to 15 years. If successful, hazelnuts will be the second largest export after hydropower.
