Known as the country’s vegetable hub, Tsirang has more than 2,000 farmers engaged in vegetable production. Considering this, its local leaders, at the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, proposed limiting vegetable imports from India during peak seasons. They said controlling the imports will not only solve marketing issues for the farmers but also allow them to grow more varieties of vegetables.
Farmers in Tsirang grow almost all varieties of vegetables due to the district’s favourable climatic conditions. And in the wake of the pandemic, as imports were restricted, vegetable production increased.
Local leaders said limiting vegetable imports is a timely intervention to encourage farmers at home.
“Our farmers are already into mass vegetable production due to the pandemic. If not for other districts, I am sure vegetables from Tsirang will be able to meet the local demands. Minimising vegetable import will be of great benefit to our farmers,” said Bal Bdr. Tamang, the Rangthangling Gup in Tsirang.
“Often, our farmers complain vegetable shops in Damphu are flooded with imported vegetables. They say this has led to difficulty in selling their organic vegetables. It is high time to take necessary interventions. If not, our farmers will be discouraged to grow vegetables. We should impose import restrictions on vegetables, which are available in Tsirang,” said Shiva Lal Karaiya, the Chairperson of the Tsirang Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
“If there is a restriction on vegetables from India, we are hopeful of getting better prices for our organic vegetables. We are motivated to work harder when we get good prices. But when there is a free inflow of vegetables from India, we face marketing issues,” added Meena Ghishing a farmer from Mendrelgang Gewog.
According to the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority’s records, the district imports at least five tonnes of vegetables weekly. Potato and onion topped the list.
“If we impose import restrictions on vegetables which we have here, our farmers will not face marketing issues. This will encourage more farmers to upscale vegetable production. At the moment, our farmers cannot sell carrots and okra because there is no import restriction for these two vegetables from India. When our farmers cannot sell their produce, they stop growing such vegetables,” said Dorji Gyeltshen, the District Agriculture Officer in Tsirang.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu decided to discuss the possibilities of implementing the proposal in the next meeting.
Mendrelgang, Sergithang, Patshaling, Gosarling and Tsholingkhar Gewogs are the major vegetable producers in the district.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
