Bhutanese ginger farmers benefiting after lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, Indian traders adding joy to their life

Indian traders are now allowed to come into Samdrup Jongkhar to buy ginger helping farmers fetch a minimum of Nu 30 for a kilogram of ginger, reports The Bhutan Live.

The COVID-19 restrictions had made life for the farmers in the small Himalayan town tough.

Despite the government taking their ginger through the buyback scheme, farmers could only fetch a maximum of Nu 30 a kilogram for the past three years, reports the news portal.

Things have changed now. With Indian traders back in the picture, Bhutanese ginger price has reached to Nu 35 a kilogram. Much to the delight of the farmers.

Tshewang Tenzin, a ginger grower in Pemathang Gewog, told The Bhutan Live that during the pandemic, some villagers sold ginger at Nu 7 to Nu 8 per kilogram.

“Now with the Covid-19 restrictions lifted, we get between 32 to 35 ngultrum for a kilogram of ginger.”

“Now Indian traders come here and buy our ginger. Last time, we got Nu 32 to Nu 35. Now Indian traders come to us and agree to give Nu 36 for one kilogram of ginger,” Phurpa Wangdi, a ginger farmer in Martshala Gewog, told the news portal.