Apart from growing vegetables, villagers in Autsho also grow watermelon. At this time of the year, farmers are busy working with watermelon at their kitchen gardens.
A 53-year-old Tshewang Chenzom is one of them who makes living by growing watermelon and vegetables. She started growing watermelon in a small plot of land last year. The income from them was encouraging. ” I made a profit of 25,000 ngultrum by selling watermelon and vegetables. This year I have planted more watermelons with a hope that I will make more profit.” she said.
Tshewang said her watermelon will be ready for harvest in next two to three months. She sells them in Autsho, Lhuentse and Monggar. A kilogram of watermelon fetches her around Nu. 80.
As lucrative it got, many farmers in Autsho started growing watermelon. But the only problem they face is shortage of water.
“Due to water problem our vegetables started dying. Had there been enough water, we can grow any type of crops and fruits here. The yield was good last year. But this time it is not.” says Cheki Wangmo, a farmer.
However, Tsaenkhar Gup Theten Wangdi said the gewog has sufficient supply of water, brushing off the claims villagers made of water shortage. He said the Dzongkhag had given them enough funds to connect water supply last year.
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