A year ago, Kabita Gurung, 43, faced the heartbreaking closure of her successful chilli farm in Samtenling due to a severe labour shortage. Undeterred by this setback, Gurung harnessed the power of digital learning, turning to YouTube tutorials to embark on a new agricultural venture: dragon fruit farming.
“I have no formal training in dragon fruit farming, but YouTube has been a valuable resource for everything from cultivation to management,” Gurung explained. “We can learn so much from our mobile devices.”
Determined to make her new venture thrive, Gurung leased three acres of state land along the Gelephu-Sarpang Highway for an annual fee of Nu 5,000. She dedicated one acre to cultivating dragon fruits, investing approximately Nu 700,000 to import around 4,000 saplings from Assam, India. These saplings represent seven vibrant varieties, including Thai Pink Rose, Jumbo Red, Moroccan Red, Siam Red, Red Velvet, Vietnamese Red, and Israeli Yellow.
The dragon fruit plants are meticulously trained on 486 table-top trellises and maintained with efficient drip irrigation systems. Additionally, Gurung oversees the cultivation of over 1,000 seedlings in greenhouses, which have become a magnet for travellers eager to purchase saplings. To protect her investment from wildlife, the farm is secured with barbed wire topped with electric fencing, effectively deterring elephants.
Since planting began in March, Gurung anticipates her first commercial harvest by August next year. “The mature branches are yielding three to four fruits each, enough for self-consumption,” she shared. Demonstrating her commitment to community, Gurung has already donated the first three fruits to Tali Dratshang as a gesture of goodwill.
Pollination is a critical aspect of her farming process. Gurung employs hand cross-pollination using a makeup brush for local white, pink, and yellow varieties, while bees handle most of the nighttime pollination. However, recent temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius have caused some plants to suffer from sunscald, presenting a challenge she continues to address.
Despite the influx of new farmers entering the dragon fruit market, Gurung remains optimistic about her marketing prospects. She has established connections with tourist hotels and resorts in Thimphu and Paro, which currently import dragon fruits from Kolkata and Bangkok. “We need to stay competitive. If the Israeli yellow variety, which is the most expensive type of dragon fruit, performs well, it can sell for Nu 400 per kilogram, which is lower than the market rate,” she noted. Highlighting the fruit’s nutritional benefits, she believes there is significant potential for local consumption and export.
Looking ahead, Gurung envisions expanding her business by opening a juice outlet. “I have a vacuum sealer for proper packaging, and I believe that if our products meet the standards, there won’t be any marketing challenges,” she expressed confidently.
Her efforts align with Bhutan’s broader agricultural trends, as the country sees a surge in dragon fruit farming with the potential to reduce reliance on major fruit imports. In 2023, Bhutan imported fruit items worth Nu 731.7 million, while exports fell short by Nu 43.1 million compared to the Nu 658.6 million exported.
However, Gurung faces uncertainty regarding the expansion of her farm. The current land lease is valid for three years, a stark contrast to previous 30-year leases. “I am looking forward to seeking advice from the GMC Governor on whether I can expand the farm,” she stated. She expressed concerns that three years may not be sufficient to recoup her initial investment, let alone turn a profit. “The lifespan of dragon fruit is around 20 years with proper disease management,” she added.
Gurung’s journey into dragon fruit farming is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Alongside her husband, a teacher at Dekiling Middle Secondary School in Sarpang, she manages a nursery on an acre of land that grows hundreds of varieties of plants and flowers. Together, they continue to nurture their passion for agriculture, contributing to the local economy and inspiring fellow farmers to embrace innovative farming practices.
As Bhutan moves towards self-sufficiency in fruit production, pioneers like Kabita Gurung play a crucial role in shaping the future of the nation’s agricultural landscape.
