Residents of Sarpang, especially farmers are anticipating a boom in agricultural productivity once works to develop the Gelephu Mindfulness City commence. They are expecting an increase in the demand for food and agricultural produce. To meet this demand, villagers of Dorjitse Singye Dara and Wungchhilu of Tareythang Gewog are venturing into commercial farming.
Prem Badhur of Dorjitse Singye Dara village in Tareythang Gewog has cultivated lemon trees, mango, areca nut tree, avocado and macadamia on one and a half acre of land. He has close to four acres of land. Prem plans to clear the remaining land to start winter vegetable farming.
He remains optimistic of catering to the residents, business entities, and international workers for the Gelephu Mindfulness City through his integrated agriculture farm.
Prem Badhur, a resident of Dorjitse said “We expect the population in Gelephu to grow when the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project begins. We have fallow land on which we can grow organic food. Foreigners prefer organic farm produce over those grown with a lot of chemicals.”
Harka Badhur Rai, another resident of Wungchhilu said “I planted 120 lemon trees from the Million Fruit Tree project. The trees have yet to bear fruits as the saplings were planted last year only. Although the trees began to flower, agriculture officials warned not to allow the trees bear flowers saying it would affect growth. They said trees should not be allowed to bear flowers before maturing in the first year. So, we removed the flowers.”
Damanta Guragagion who lives in Dorjitse Singye Dara said “We will reap the benefits as the Gelephu Mindfulness City takes shape. So, we are planting fruit trees.”
Kalpana Rai who is also from Dorjitse Singye Dara said “We will be benefitted by planting fruit trees such as lemon.”
The Sarpang District Agriculture Sector distributed around 5,860 fruit trees to the farmers of 12 gewogs in the third phase of the Million Fruit Tree project.
Farmers of Taraythang Gewog received more than 2,000 fruit trees including banana, avocado, lemon, mango and macadamia.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Phub Gyem
