Many are reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. But for a poultry farmer in Dechhenling Gewog of Pema Gatshel, it has been altogether a different story. Call it a monopoly market or the brighter side of the pandemic, Jigme Wangchuk has been doing a brisk business as shared in this story.
Amid the pandemic, market has not been a problem for Jigme Wangchuk, who owns two poultry farms. In fact, the business has been growing. Daily, he collects around 1,200 eggs that translate to a monthly profit of almost Nu 100,000.
Today, he is the only poultry farmer in Dechhenling Gewog and his farms produce enough eggs to meet the demand in the community.
“Actually, the supply is in excess so I take the surplus eggs to Nganglam town and other nearby settlements. I supply eggs in the gewog whenever required, be it public occasions or during visits by officials,” said Jigme Wangchuk.
He says the pandemic has come as a blessing in disguise. Initially, when he set up the poultry business some eight years ago, he faced marketing challenges. This often had him question his decision.
“Earlier, people from other districts and across the border would supply eggs here. So getting a good price was a challenge. These days, due to the pandemic, outsiders do not come here for business and I fetch a better price,” he added.
For the time being, the only challenge Jigme is confronted with is disposing stewing hens or those layers that are matured and past the egg-laying period. Currently, he is feeding more than 200 stewing birds.
“The layers stop laying eggs once matured or after they are 18 months old. I used to sell them to my partner across the border in India. Although I didn’t earn much, I was able to dispose the stewing birds,” he said.
But this is a minor hindrance against his growing business prospect. And turning a blind eye to it, Jigme is already planning to establish an additional farm soon.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
