In a village where winter once meant idle fields and quiet days, the cold season has taken on a new rhythm. Across Chulabi village in Chali Gewog, women can now be seen bent over lush green plots, tending and harvesting potatoes—an activity that was almost unheard of just a few years ago.
The shift has been driven by a growing winter market for potatoes, which has opened new income opportunities for farming households. Introduced about three years ago, commercial potato cultivation has quickly become a cornerstone of the village economy. Encouraged by promising returns from the first harvests, farmers have steadily expanded their fields and increased production.
A walk through Chulabi reveals a patchwork of land—some plots left fallow, others bursting with vegetables. Rows of potatoes sit alongside cabbage, broccoli, and leafy greens, forming the backbone of winter earnings for most families. What began as small-scale cultivation for household consumption has evolved into a full-fledged commercial venture.
Today, nearly all 14 households in the village are growing potatoes for sale.
Forty-year-old Jampel Dema is among those who have significantly scaled up their efforts. Working on close to an acre of land, she has increased her seed use fivefold since she first tried winter potato farming.
“Earlier, winter was a time when our fields were empty and we didn’t have much work,” she said. “Now it is tiring, but it feels meaningful because we can earn. I started with two sacks of seed, and this year I planted ten.”
With harvesting expected to begin early next month, Jampel hopes the larger crop will bring in higher returns and help secure her family’s finances.
For 44-year-old Pema Wangmo, winter potatoes have already become a dependable source of cash. She has sold about 15 sacks of potatoes at the Monggar vegetable market this season.
“Last year I earned nearly Nu 40,000 from winter potatoes,” she said. “I sold them for Nu 50 to 60 per kilogram, and buyers were easy to find. This year, however, prices are lower. I recently sold 13 sacks of 50 kilograms each for only Nu 25 per kilogram.”
Women in Chulabi play a central role in sustaining household livelihoods. While men often leave the village in search of daily wage labour when farm work is scarce, women manage vegetable gardens and handle marketing.
“Our main income comes from vegetables and oranges,” said Ugyen Dema, a resident of the village. “We grow the produce and take it to Monggar town to sell.”
Despite the gains, farmers face persistent challenges. Potato prices tend to fall during winter as produce from other gewogs enters the market, increasing competition. Access to quality seed is another hurdle. Most farmers source seed potatoes from Bumthang, a process they describe as both costly and cumbersome, with prices reaching Nu 25 per kilogram this season.
Still, innovation continues to shape farming practices in Chulabi. An increasing number of households are adopting double cropping—growing maize and potatoes on the same field within a single season. The approach maximises land use, spreads risk, and boosts overall productivity.
For the women of Chulabi, winter is no longer a season of waiting. Instead, it has become a time of hard work, opportunity, and renewed optimism—one potato field at a time.
