In 2016, when food safety issues arose and the Government of Bhutan announced a ban on the import of chilli peppers, or ‘chillies’, from the traditional suppliers, the country was left baffled. Chillies have been used extensively in the Bhutanese diet since ancient times, but thus far, the country had depended heavily on imports of the commodity. Much of the country’s farming communities were ill-prepared to grow chillies; the climate and topography posed additional challenges.
Yet, a group of farmers in Karmaling, one of the most remote Gewogs (group of villages), became some of first in the country to explore the uncharted territory, knowing that growing chillies would not just be good for their cooking traditions but would also fill a gap in the market, offering welcomed additional income. For more read
