Businesses have slowly increased nationally after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in September last year. A group of farmers who made brooms in Dechhenling Gewog in Pema Gatshel also started up again after a three-year hiatus. The team wants to generate a sizable profit.
The group, which was founded in 2016, has nine members. They are gathering grass to produce brooms, the most practical home item for daily usage.
They transport the grass to the collection centre to be dried after collection. To Nganglam town, they often cart the brooms. Broomsticks cost Nu 25 each.
The broom grass, also known as Thysanolaena maximum, is abundant at the side of the road. Farmers are not permitted to gather them, though. They claimed that their firm would benefit if they were allowed.
“As we are not permitted to collect these brooms from state property, our only option is our farm. Therefore, we planted it on our property. Since we cannot pick them up, the ones on state property have dried. Please enable us to pick up the grass off the side of the road, Samten continued.
“We can’t sell all the things here in the neighbourhood. We would be allowed to sell it across the border if it weren’t for the laws and regulations set forth by BAFRA and the customs office”.
“That has an impact on our company. Also, it’s challenging for farmers like us to comprehend and adhere to the rules and regulations. We would benefit from a more straightforward method if there were on”e, remarked Dorji Chedup.
According to the office, the organisation must write to the Nganglam Range Office to request a permit to collect the broom.
Broom grass aids in stabilising slopes and preventing soil erosion because of its robust web-like root system. They only need a little upkeep and may regrow quickly, even on deteriorated land.