The newly developed facility at Lungsigang combines local agricultural trade with tourism, creating livelihood opportunities for women farmers while offering travellers a scenic stopover.
Lungsigang, popularly known as the gateway to Tsirang, is emerging as a new destination for agricultural trade and roadside tourism following the opening of a two-storey agro-tourism sales outlet and the development of visitor-friendly facilities in the area.
The initiative aims to address one of the persistent challenges faced by farmers in the district—limited access to reliable markets—while encouraging travellers to explore and purchase locally grown produce.
The newly established outlet will serve as a dedicated marketplace for seasonal vegetables, fruits, fresh juices and other locally processed products. Equipped with two cold storage facilities, it will also help reduce post-harvest losses by allowing farmers to preserve perishable produce, particularly during the warmer months.
For farmers in Tsholingkhar Gewog, the development marks a significant improvement over the difficulties they previously faced in transporting their harvests to distant markets.
In the absence of a nearby sales facility, growers often had to arrange costly transportation or physically carry their produce to Dagana in search of buyers. The new outlet is expected to ease these challenges by connecting producers directly with customers travelling along the highway.
An eight-member farmers’ group, comprising entirely women, will be among the first beneficiaries of the initiative.
Ugyen Dema, a farmer from Gomsum Chiwog, said the outlet would spare farmers the inconvenience and expense of transporting their harvests over long distances. Besides marketing their own produce, the group hopes to provide a sales platform for other growers in the community.
Beyond improving market access, the facility is also expected to strengthen women’s economic participation in the area.
Another group member, Karma Yangzom, sees the initiative as an opportunity for women farmers to develop greater financial independence. Earnings from the outlet, she said, could help members meet household expenses, particularly the educational needs of their children, while building their confidence as income earners.
The outlet will primarily feature agricultural products cultivated in Gomsum Chiwog and neighbouring communities within Tsholingkhar Gewog.
Gomsum Tshogpa Kezang Lham said the vegetables and fruits would be sourced from local farms that use organic manure. The emphasis on locally grown seasonal produce is expected to give visitors an opportunity to purchase fresh agricultural products directly from the communities producing them.
The project, however, extends beyond the sale of farm produce.
As part of the broader development, Lungsigang has also been equipped with recreational and roadside amenities designed to encourage motorists and tourists to spend more time in the area.
A newly developed viewpoint offers sweeping views of the Sunkosh River and parts of neighbouring Dagana. A skywalk, sheltered canopies and designated resting spaces further enhance the location’s appeal as a stopover for highway travellers.
These additions are expected to create an alternative recreational destination for visitors, potentially reducing pressure on popular gathering places such as Rigsum Pemai Dumra in Damphu during major celebrations, including Losar.
The transformation has already drawn appreciation from visitors.
Jigme Wangmo, who travelled from Dagana to see the facilities, welcomed the changes, observing that an area once lacking visitor infrastructure had been developed into an attractive recreational space.
The anticipated increase in visitor activity could also generate economic benefits beyond the farming community.
Local entrepreneurs hope the combination of fresh produce, scenic attractions and improved roadside facilities will encourage more travellers to stop at Lungsigang, creating additional demand for nearby businesses.
Karma Choki, a small business operator from Gomsum Chiwog, expressed optimism that the development would bring more customers to the area and improve business opportunities for residents.
The initiative reflects the potential of linking rural agricultural production with tourism infrastructure to support local livelihoods. By providing farmers with a more accessible marketplace and creating a welcoming environment for visitors, the project could help retain more economic benefits within the community.
While the long-term impact will depend on sustained visitor interest, effective management and consistent supplies of local produce, the development represents a promising step towards strengthening Tsirang’s rural economy.
For the women farmers preparing to operate the outlet, it offers something particularly valuable: a chance to turn their agricultural work into a more dependable source of income without having to travel far from home.
For travellers, Lungsigang now offers more than a passage into Tsirang. It provides an opportunity to experience the district’s agricultural produce, natural scenery and local enterprise in one place.
