Farmers are often distressed when their surplus farm produce gets damaged due to a lack of proper storage facilities. However, things are bound to change for farmers of Gangzur, Kurtoed, and nearby Gewogs in Lhuentse. Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck inaugurated the Kurtoed Food Processing Unit in Kidlung-Somshing Chiwog of Gangzur Gewog today.
The food processing unit houses various machines such as a dehydrating machine, grain mill, flour mill, oil expeller and packing machine.
These machines will help farmers enhance their raw agricultural produce to have a longer shelf life. The farmers can dry their vegetables and fruits, and grind flour. They are going to sell the products from the unit to visitors and residents.
“During the summer, the vegetables get damaged. Here, we can produce vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage. We have a vegetable group here, so we will collect and dry vegetables using various machines,” said Sonam Lhamo, a resident.
“We grow vegetables but they get spoiled. Rather than our vegetables getting spoiled, now I think this machine will help us to earn some income,” said Tshering Bida, another resident.
“Firstly, we are targeting the residents within our own district and the pilgrims visiting Singye Dzong and Rinchen Bumpa. If we produce more and cannot sell them, then we are planning to sell them in other districts,” said Sonam Jamtsho, Tarayana Coordinator.
Currently, a woman runs the Kurtoed Food Processing Unit. The unit plans to recruit youths in the future.
It was constructed in collaboration with the Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP) and the Tarayana Foundation.
Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is on an eastern tour monitoring the progress of Tarayana Foundation’s activities.
Her Majesty is also meeting the Tarayana club members in schools and communities.
During the tour, Her Majesty also provided Tokha and Soelra to the people.
Sonam Darjay, Lhuentse
Edited by Sangay Chezom
