A vegetable group in Gomdar Gewog of Samdrup Jongkhar not only markets vegetable, but it also helps build a better home for its members. Formed in 2008, the Richanglu vegetable group has helped more than 11 members build a better home so far.
The members of the vegetable group said since most of the houses in Richanglu village are hut, the vegetable group was formed to help each other during the construction of houses.
“Every member of the vegetable group contributes free labour for a week and the vegetable group also gives Nu 10,000 to those who construct a house. The group also gives additional Nu 10,000 as a loan with interest of one per cent for a year,” said Dendup, the chairman of the Richanglu Vegetable Group in Gomdar.
The group has spent more than Nu 300,000 to construct 11 houses in the community so far.
One of the beneficiaries is Sangay Chopel. Today Sangay and his family are staying in a four-room bungalow with a kitchen and toilet attached. Before, Sangay stayed in a hut with a single room.
“Before I have a hut, if the vegetable group was not formed, to construct this house expenditure will be about Nu 500,000 but with the help of vegetable group members I spent only Nu 300,000 to construct this house because all the 31 members contributed free labour for a week each,” he said.
“Without the vegetable group, we had no other source of income to earn. By forming a vegetable group we can make a good income now. If I construct a house, group members will help me to construct a house, so it is helpful,” said Tshering Choden, a member of the group.
“By next two months from now, the vegetable season will start, I produce about 1,000 kilograms of vegetable and earn about Nu 50,000 a season,” added Thinley Yoezer, also a member.
Richanglu vegetable group has 31 members and more than Nu 500,000 as profit in the group account.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
