Farmers from Trashigang and nearby gewogs will no longer have to worry about their locally grown vegetables being damaged during the Sunday vegetable market in Trashigang. The Trashigang District Administration opened a properly roofed market shed that can accommodate around 100 farmers yesterday. This initiative is also part of the celebration commemorating the 13th Royal Wedding Anniversary.
The farmers have been using an open parking space to sell their locally grown vegetables and other products.
While they appreciated having a designated Sunday vegetable market, the lack of a proper shed made it difficult to sell in the open, as Trashigang’s high humidity, intense heat, and frequent rainfall created challenging conditions.
In addition to farmers from Trashigang, those from Tashi Yangtse and Monggar districts also come to sell their locally grown produce at the Sunday market.
“We grow a lot of vegetables, but there was no proper place to sell them before. The sun’s heat and rainfall would spoil our produce. However, now, with this shed, we no longer have to stand in the sun or rain. We can sell our vegetables, and we are happy. Thank you for this help,” said Kelzang Choden, Ramjar.
“Before, we did not have a proper place or shed to sell vegetables, which demoralised our farmers in the village. But now, with the support of the Dzongkhag providing the shed, our farmers are happy. I can even see that they are showing more interest in vegetable farming,” said Jamyang Phuntsho, Bartsham Gewog.
“As farmers, we have to work and earn income by selling our farm products, as we do not have any other source of income. I believe this shed will be beneficial moving forward, and we are also considering focusing more on vegetable farming in the future,” said Sherub Dema, Bidung Gewog.
Vegetable sellers or farmers are required to pay a nominal fee of Nu 50 a day to use the market.
The District Municipal Office, along with the thromde ngotshab, will manage the Sunday vegetable market, with a committee appointed by the district to oversee and monitor its operations.
On other days, the space will serve as a parking area. The district constructed the Sunday vegetable market with a budget of Nu 1.5 M.
Trashigang also has another designated vegetable market in the town, where both local and imported products are sold.
Sonam Darjay in Trashigang
Edited by Sherub Dorji
