Harvesting the Sherpa
Farmers in the Khumbu Valley forty years ago had a special way of harvesting. The potato was the main crop, and was only grown in the summer. Soil was prepared by being composted, and then mixed with dung (chey). The seeds were planted by two people- one digging and covering the holes, and one placing the seeds into the holes. A curved weeding tool, called a koma, was used to weed the potato plants when they were at least several inches tall. Potato harvest started late in the monsoon, which was from August to October. Harvesting was done by using a sickle, which is a sharp, curved tool.
Farmers in the Khumbu Valley forty years ago had a special way of harvesting. The potato was the main crop, and was only grown in the summer. Soil was prepared by being composted, and then mixed with dung (chey). The seeds were planted by two people- one digging and covering the holes, and one placing the seeds into the holes. A curved weeding tool, called a koma, was used to weed the potato plants when they were at least several inches tall. Potato harvest started late in the monsoon, which was from August to October. Harvesting was done by using a sickle, which is a sharp, curved tool.
(Olivia)