Areca palm which was initially grown on trial at Sunkosh Chiwog in Tsirang’s Rangthangling Gewog has emerged as the main source of income for farmers now. With trees already starting to bear nuts, farmers are hopeful of commercial areca nut cultivation providing them a stable income. Today, majority of households in the Chiwog are engaged in areca nut farming.
The Chiwog has 26 households. Of these,17 households planted areca nut trees. While some of them have only a few trees, some own them in hundreds.
Farmers in the Chiwog have started planting the areca nut trees from 2007 on a trial basis. Cultivation expanded after the Royal Society for Protection of Nature and Rangthangling Gewog Administration provided them saplings in 2018.
With some trees having already started bearing fruits some three years ago, farmers are hopeful of earning even better now.
“We do not have other cash crops like oranges and cardamoms. Areca nut is the source of income for us. We do not have many areca nut trees but the ones we planted are bearing fruits well,” said Kharka Singh Chhetri, a farmer.
“I have around 230 betel nut trees and half of them have started bearing fruits. I fetched around Nu 40,000 last year,” said Amber Bdr. Chhetri, another farmer.
Farmers harvest areca nuts from June to August. They sell their areca nuts to buyers from Thimphu and nearby districts.
“We have been receiving good demand for betel nuts from consumers from other districts. So, I have plans to grow more betel nut trees,” said Kharka Singh Chhetri.
Although the farmers have shifted their focus to growing areca nut trees, they continue to grow vegetables and fruits on small scale.
With prospects of better harvest and income, Sunkosh Chiwog is one of the Chiwogs in Tsirang where farmers are finding success in commercial areca nut cultivation.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Tshering Zam
