Neten Dorji
Bumthang—At a time when farmers are turning their back on hazelnut for various reasons, farmer Nar Bahadur Mongar, 52, in Tang gewog in Bumthang has successfully experimented with intercropping of strawberry with Hazelnut and is reaping profits.
The hazelnut trees, which were supposed to yield fruitswithin three to four years, took an unexpectedly long seven years to mature. But his perseverance paid off, and his orchard has blossomed into a fruitful enterprise. And in his own words, he is literally killing two birds with one stone.
While he waits to harvest the nuts from his 700 hazelnut trees spread across one acre orchard, the strawberries earn him a decent income. “ I turned to strawberries as an alternative source of income,” he said.
His dual-crop strategy has not only provided financial stability but has also created a model of sustainable agriculture in Bumthang. His innovative intercropping system involves planting strawberries among his hazelnut trees, allowing him to maximise the use of his land.
Each year, he earns around Nu 600,000 from strawberry sales alone.
The strawberries provide a consistent income stream while the hazelnuts mature, proving that the two crops complement rather than compete with each other.
His success wasn’t instantaneous though.
Nar Bahadur Mongar invested considerable effort into experimenting with different cultivation techniques, learning through trial and error. “I had to test various methods and seek knowledge independently to find the right balance for growing both strawberries and hazelnuts,” he recounts.
Today, his orchard is a model for other hazelnut growers. The trees, which were initially slow to produce, now yield 2-5 kilogrammes of nuts per tree.
He sells the hazlenuts for Nu 100 per kilogramme directly from the orchard. “The first year was challenging, but perseverance led to a bumper harvest in the second year, and the yield has continued to increase,” he said. “That is why I am planting more trees today.”
What sets his approach apart is his decision to allow his hazelnut trees to grow taller than the standard recommendations by the Mountain Hazelnut Company. This adjustment provided ample space and sunlight for the strawberry plants, enhancing their productivity. “The taller trees create a favourable environment for the strawberries while allowing the hazelnuts to flourish,” he says.
He attributed his success to a combination of careful management and a deep understanding of the interplay between the two crops. “Strawberries need sunlight from January to May, while hazelnuts require minimal attention during this period. This timing ensures that the crops do not interfere with each other,” he explained.
Nar Brd Mongar said that with proper care, hazelnut trees bear fruits easily. “The key is for farmers to be patient and understand the soil, water availability, and other factors. They should choose high-yielding varieties and manage them well, paying regular attention to their needs.”
What started as a hobby over a decade ago has now evolved into a sustainable livelihood. “I no longer have to work tirelessly on the plants. The yield improves annually, and I can look forward to a stable income as I age,” he said.
He also benefits from the convenience of the company buying back the hazlenuts from his farm.