Farmers of Khothangkha Chiwog at Wangdue Phodrang’s Ruebisa Gewog are excited as they now have a ready market for their agricultural produce. The Food Corporation of Bhutan (FCB) has stepped in to bridge the gap between them and the market, promising to deliver their fresh vegetables to the nearby Gyalsung Academy. As a result, farmers have started scaling up vegetable cultivation.
Unlike in the past, 54-year-old Nachum of Sheley village is growing vegetables on a larger scale this year. Earlier, she used to grow only enough for her household due to marketing challenges.
This is not the case anymore. Her fields are filled with potatoes, beans, zucchini, chillies, brinjal, cauliflower, cabbage and spinach. Earlier, she used to mostly cultivate potatoes. She is one of the members of the Khothangkha Sanam Tshongdrel Nyamlay Tshogdey, a vegetable-farming group which has 40 members. The FCB signed contracts with eight farmers’ groups in five gewogs in the district to supply vegetables to the Khotokha Gyalsung Academy recently.
“Since the Gyalsung project started here, we could easily sell our produce. That is why I have cultivated around 40 decimals of land this time. I am expecting to cultivate even more next year,” said Nachum, a member of the Vegetable Farming Group.
This initiative has encouraged and motivated other farmers as well to expand their vegetable cultivation.
“Since the Gyalsung Project has started near our village, we thought that this is a good opportunity for us to generate some income from our doorstep. This is the reason we are excited and encouraged to grow more vegetables,” said Dawa, the chairperson of Vegetable Farming Group.
“When we use manure, it does not spoil the soil’s health and also produces good quality and natural vegetables. From here on, we will be able to continue supplying naturally grown vegetables,” said Thinley Dorji, a member of the Vegetable Farming Group.
Agriculture officials said farmers will start supplying the vegetables in September. The chiwog tshogpa said the farmers have been given the necessary training for vegetable cultivation.
The district administration and officials concerned are rendering necessary technical support to the farmers. Farmers were also given seeds, electric fencing and greenhouses.
“I have cultivated my vegetables in around fifty decimals of land this time. I am growing beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and carrots. But mostly, I have cultivated the potatoes. However, vegetables do not grow well in winter. So, preparing greenhouses would be better for winter. Moreover, we can equip them with electricity to maintain temperature,” said Dawa Zangmo, another member of the Vegetable Farming Group.
“I am urging my people to grow seasonal vegetables. For instance, summer vegetables in summer autumn vegetables during spring, and winter vegetables in winter. I am telling them to grow vegetables in accordance with the feasibility and condition of their land. I am reminding them to work hard,” said Karma Dorji, Khothangkha Tshogpa.
With this initiative, farmers expect to boost their income while the Gyalsung Academy will also have a reliable supplier for their vegetable needs.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Kipchu
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