Following the success of a trial kiwi project in Nangkor Gewog of Zhemgang, more farmers in the district are growing the fruit. What started as a pilot project is now becoming a commercial venture.
Thirty-year-old Kunga Zangmo is the first from Zurphey village under Trong Gewog to start cultivating the kiwi fruit. She was sceptical at first about growing it until the district agriculture officials persuaded her in 2018.
She has nurtured and raised kiwi plants for almost five years. Kiwi plants often take several years to mature and usually do not bear fruit until they are five to nine years old.
The oval-shaped fruit grows as big as a large hen’s egg, is brown outside and green on the inside and tastes sweet when ripe.
The mother of one says all the years of hard work spent tending to the plants have been worth it. The plants began to bear fruit this year and the yield has been bountiful.
“I was encouraged to grow kiwi after I tasted the fruit. It contains vitamins plus fetches a good price in the market. So, I thought it will be a profitable venture if I grew it on my own so long as we do not face marketing issues,” she said.
Currently, she has about a hundred kiwi trees which will earn her about Nu 40,000. She has harvested 150 kilograms so far this season. A kilogram of the fruit fetches Nu 250.
Once mature, kiwi plants can bear fruit every season for up to 10 years.
Soon after Kunga began cultivating Kiwis, 15 other households in the village started growing the fruit in 2019 and 2020. However, market accessibility is an issue as Zurphey is a rural community.
“The fruit grows really well here. The only issue is the market. Not many people buy the fruit as they find it costly. Only those who have tasted it or know the value buy the fruit,” said Kunga.
According to the District Agriculture Officials, the kiwi seeds were brought from Sarpang and a trial was carried out in Zhemgang in 2016.
Back in Zurphey, Kunga Zangmo is already counting her income from next season’s harvest. She is expecting to earn twice what she earned this time. Kunga has planned to expand the cultivation and plant more trees.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
