Residents of Phuentshogling now have a new way to access fresh, locally grown food, as a weekly Sunday farmers’ market officially opened near the Zangdopelri area. The launch coincided with the birthday of His Majesty the King and marks a key milestone under the Phuentshogling Thromde Enhancement Programme — a national initiative focused on revitalising the town and improving urban life.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade attended the inauguration, highlighting the importance of strengthening links between rural farmers and urban consumers.
Unlike conventional markets, the new Sunday market will operate only once a week and will not feature permanent infrastructure. Vendors will set up temporary stalls each Sunday, creating a flexible space that can evolve with community needs.
Farmers from villages across Chhukha have brought a wide selection of agricultural and dairy products to the market, including fresh vegetables, fruits, butter, cheese and honey. In keeping with an environmentally conscious approach, vendors are using bamboo baskets and locally sourced materials to present their produce, eliminating the use of plastic packaging.
Officials say the initiative is designed to recreate a village-style marketplace within the town, allowing farmers to sell directly to customers while offering residents access to authentic farm products. According to Cheten Gyeltshen, Head of the Regional Agriculture Marketing Division in Phuentshogling, the weekly market is expected to provide farmers with a dependable sales platform and improved income opportunities. He added that the long-term vision includes attracting visitors from nearby border areas and enhancing tourism in the region.
By creating a direct link between producers and buyers, the market aims to ensure fair pricing while promoting fresh, locally sourced food for residents and cross-border shoppers. Farmers involved in the initiative believe the platform will help address challenges posed by imported goods and limited market access.
Tshering Dorji, a farmer representative from Dungna in Chhukha, said many farmers have struggled to compete with lower-priced imports in large integrated markets, which has discouraged some from continuing agriculture. He noted that the new initiative offers renewed motivation and hope for farming communities. Nima Dorji, representing farmers from Samarchen in Darla Gewog, added that the market would benefit the wider community by reducing uncertainty about where to sell their produce.
Officials from the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives explained that careful planning has gone into ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce throughout the year. A crop calendar has been developed to coordinate production among different gewogs, ensuring that seasonal gaps in one area can be filled by another.
More than a dozen farmer representatives are currently participating in the Sunday market, which is expected not only to strengthen rural livelihoods but also to transform the town centre into a lively community gathering space.
