After successfully growing commercial vegetables for the first time, the Chudawong Commercial Vegetable Group in Radhi Gewog in Trashigang is now going for winter vegetable production. Following the success in their earlier work, and with winter fast approaching this will be the group’s second commercial venture.
The focus will now be on chilli, tomato, onion, and beans for the group founded earlier this year. The members now intend to use greenhouse facilities to speed up production.
Earlier during the national lockdown, the group supplied chilli and tomato worth about Nu 100,000 in their district.
“In winter, most people depend on imported vegetables. But this year, as we are going through the pandemic, we are working harder. With the help of our government and the project, are expecting a huge production from the various vegetables we have grown. We are even aiming to reach the produce to Thimphu,” said Tandin Wangchuk, a member of the farmer’s group.
The group of 27 members has an area of 15 acres to work on.
Meanwhile, the farmers are using a temporary water supply as they could not procure a water-pump due to the lockdown. Land development using a machine is in progress, and the farmers expect to carry out the transplantation soon.
The Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme financed the group’s land development and infrastructures such as fencing and greenhouses. The ARDC in Wengkhar helped in setting up a drip irrigation system. The group also received support from the Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector and the gewog administration.
Sonam Dargay
