The COVID-19 pandemic was not a curse for all businesses. It was rather a boost for the farmers of Nagya Gewog in Paro who are into potato farming as the main source of their income.
For the farmers of Gumo and Sengkha villages of Nagya Gewog, the profit from the sale of potatoes doubled amid the pandemic compared to 2019. This has only encouraged them to grow more this year.
“At the beginning of last year, we did not grow much potatoes as we were not very confident about market availability due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. But later, the business turned out good and we are encouraged to grow more this year,” said Passang from Gumo under Nagya Gewog.
“This year I have planted 10 sacks of additional potato seeds compared to last year. I have planted 30 sacks of potato seeds on an acre of land this year,” added Karma Tshering.
They said selling potatoes was easier this time, unlike other times, adding they even fetched a better price.
“A sack of 50 kg of potato fetched us more than Nu 2500. Unlike in the past, we sold our potatoes from our doorstep and fetched around Nu 6000 for 100 kg. In the past, we hardly fetched Nu 4000 for a 100 kg even from the auction yards in Phuentshogling,” said Passang.
“Unlike in the past, we did not have to take it to the road point. The vendors came till the doorstep of our house and took them all,” added Karma Tshering.
According to the district agriculture sector, Paro is considered self-sufficient in terms of the production of potatoes. The district produced close to 8,000 metric tonnes of the tuber amid the pandemic. It also supplied surplus production to the Food Corporation of Bhutan and nearby districts during the lockdown.
The farmers of Nagya Gewog are expecting a better income this year as well.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
