Page 42 - BHUTAN 2007
P. 42
THE COUNTRYSIDE
The deep valleys bordered by steep foothills determine that the land for
agriculture must be terraced because there is very little flat land in those
valleys. This geological feature also adds to the organic appearance of
Bhutan as a whole. The land is fertile and the fields are well-tended. Much
red rice, sticky rice, millet, buckwheat and maize are grown in the north part
of the country.
Vegetables are also easily grown in these valleys—most of which we are
very familiar with—greens like turnip and mustard, tomatoes, peppers,
broccoli, green beans, and potatoes. Even bananas can be grown in some of
the valleys with their warmer temperature microclimates. In the south of
the country, tropical products can be grown—things like citrus fruits,
bamboo, mangos, carrots, onions, squashes. A unique vegetable we tried on
a couple of occasions was “crowsbeak.” It looked like a small, ridged and
