Sweet buckwheat on the verge of extinction in Mugu

MUGU: A variety of the sweet buckwheat is on the verge of disappearance in Mugu district of late, as it is not the choice crop of local farmers.

There has also been a decline in the area under sweet buckwheat cultivation in the district compared to the past. Grown in high-altitude upland area in the district, the overall buckwheat farming is decreasing over the years.

The sweet buckwheat is a nutritious grain and the farmers in the highland area of the district had been cultivating it traditionally. However, with the development of modern agricultural system and new technology in recent years, the farmers are attracted to the other cash crops.

The farmers quit cultivating buckwheat due to the increasing trend of most of the youths in the district going abroad for employment and as other crops give quick returns compared to buckwheat farming.

Moreover, the few farmers who still grow the sweet buckwheat say that although the harvest is good, they do not get competitive price for their produce, which is another reason for the growing disinterest among them.

"We waited for months after cultivating buckwheat, but could not sell it and it does not fetch better price as well. We could not even earn commensurate with the investment," said Prabhu Jung Shahi, a farmer of Topla, Chhayanath Rara Municipality-7.

The local communities worry the district's traditional food culture, identity and indigenous crops might disappear if the traditional cultivation of buckwheat diminishes at the present pace. Hence, they have called on the local government to implement programmes to promote the buckwheat farming in the district by providing various support and incentives to the farmers.

The sweet buckwheat is considered highly beneficial for health. Eating bread and other food items made from buckwheat is believed to give relief from asthma, cough and cold and even heart ailments.

High-altitude areas as Pina, Kotila, Mundu, Liudi, Ghattelek, Tali Lek, Roba, Soba, Topla, Mathi Tuma, Lamera, Budu and Mugum Karmarong are the suitable areas for buckwheat farming in Mugu district.