Ice (coffee) breaker

Ap Phuntsho Wangdi with his wife and house in the background

While others of his kind want to wait before jumping into it, 56 years old farmer Phuntsho Wangdi of Sipsoo has already broken the ice of Community Participation in Coffee plantation. With inaugural plantation graced by Dasho Sherub Gyaltshen, Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, eleven seedlings were planted on the day itself.

“It is the likeliness of more income in future that enticed me straight into it,” Ap Phuntsho unveiled in an interview. The location of his land in proximity to the mass bean plantation by Samden group is also another bonus for him.

Samden Group has also rendered all supports to him. He was provided with free seedlings from the Nursery. He was also imparted with adequate training and practical on such plantations. It is also aimed at integrating and mainstreaming more farmers into coffee plantation. The model of the project to be implemented in Public-private Partnership calls for famers in the area to participate so that they can also benefit by generating more income.

“Land is not at fault since it can grow everything”

He cultivates all types of crops in his five-acre land including arecanut. “Land is not at fault since it can grow everything,” Ap Phuntsho said. “But the crop depredation by wildlife especially elephant is another thing that impedes,” he added. He hoped that coffee integration dwindle such damages to the crops.

Although only eleven seedlings have been planted on the first day, Ap Phuntsho committed to continue with coffee plantation in his five-acre land. He will propose for more seedlings and extend the plantation. “With labour at shortage, it is not easy to carryout huge plantation at one go. The plantation will be done phase-wise,” he clarified.

Led by Ap Phuntsho, it is expected that more farmers will come forward to plant beans in their private land and reap maximum benefits.

Comments

A Long, long, long journey to Education

“Root of the education is bitter but the fruit is sweet” no one would know about it better than Kado. The fatigue of having to toddle to the school, fever of unending exams, the torture of having to burn the midnight oil, dozing in classes and the stern rigors are hard to endure, few even give up on the way but many endure it with utmost determination and commitment, because deep inside everyone knows it pays later. “Root of the education is bitter but the fruit is sweet” no one would know about it better than Kado Kado in the tender age of 12 is negotiating the lazily meandering footpath along the steep mountain. His school bag, full of books, pulls him back. His black naughty boy school shoe is all soiled, indication of how many times he has trudged that same footpath. He is on his way to the primary school in his village, almost 5 kilometers away. He has to make sure he is in the school before morning social work starts; else he gets penalized. Unlike the students who reside nearb...

My New Found Love: - What shall thy name be???

I count myself lucky having met her one sunny day near the place I presently stay. I purely attribute it to the destiny or the fate we shared since it was the invisible string of love and passion that brought us together. None would dare to agree to believe me that she just decided to stay with me midway in Chukha in her journey to Thimphu, having consulted neither her parents nor anyone who took her care. So bold she is, is she? If ever I have been waiting for the fresh love, it was she who would give me the correct doze. "Lucky girl she is!" We have now developed so much of attachment that we can hardly think of time away from each other. We love each other so much that we eat together in same plate, sleep in one bed, go for evening walk and literally do everything together. What love is this if it is not one genuine one? The time I have to be in office is the time I miss her most while she stay at home, sleeping all day till I return home. Lucky girl she is! She eats th...

Cypress Surprise

It’s said that every cypress tree in Bhutan tells a tale. And indeed each one has a story. It just takes going around asking about the tree to unveil it. Besides being the national tree of Bhutan the cypress is associated with diverse myths and beliefs. Every grain of the cypress tree seen majestically towering over the dzongs, temples and stupas is imbued with intricate stories. Such stories are the greatest surprise surrounding the cypress. The two formidable trees at Baylangdra in Wangdue and at Kurjey in Bumthang are no exception to this. Their origin can be traced to the walking stick of the great Indian saint who visited Bhutan in 8th century. When such trees are planted, they’re done to serve as the ‘standing proof’ of the flourishing dharma. Often it is said that the trees will grow only if there is a prophecy that Buddhism will exist without waning. The trees cater to the locality as symbol of worship and blessings. The giant cypress tree growing near the Kurjey Lhakahng is ...

My Own Thoughts

Search This Blog