Amid the pandemic, Samchhoeling green tea growers in Trongsa have been harvesting a better yield of green tea. The growers harvested about 11,000 kilograms last year, an increase in the production by more than 22 per cent from the previous year. The growers attribute the bountiful harvest to proper care and management which helped the trees mature properly.
In a year, a member produces a minimum of 150 packets of green tea which is about nine kilograms. And there are 36 members in Samchhoeling Green Tea Cooperative.
The tea growers said besides planting more trees, they worked hard even during the pandemic situation which improved the production.
“Even during the lockdowns, we were able to work and the yields have increased this year. Likewise, when the yields increase annually, the growers are happy and encouraged to work more,” said Rinchen Dema, a member.
“We could earn better when the yield increases. The income helps us meet our expenses in times of difficulty. It also encourages us to work harder,” said Langamo, another member.
At this time of the year, the growers collect the seeds and raise saplings.
However, despite the good yield, the group is struggling to market their produce. Currently, they sell the products from the cooperative’s three-storied tea house and through an outlet in Trongsa town.
The cooperative is exploring other means such as through social media platforms and producing new green tea products.
“To make the green tea products available in the country and even abroad, we are in the process of helping the cooperative in marketing the products online,” said Karma Wangchuk, the Deputy Agriculture Officer.
“We are trained on how to produce Oolong and Black tea. We have plans to produce such products from next year,” said Dechen Pelden, the Chairperson of the Cooperative.
Meanwhile, the District Agriculture Sector also plans to lease land to the interested growers who have less land.
According to the village elders, green tea was introduced in Dragteng after the Second Druk Gyalpo planted a few green tea plants near the Samchholing Dzong.
Today, nearly 85 acres of land in Drakteng Gewog is under the green tea plantation. The cooperative started the business a decade ago.
Passang, Trongsa
Edited by Tshering Zam
