Many people around the globe have lost their job due to the pandemic. It brought many back homes even in Bhutan. While some of them are depending on Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu, few have managed to survive and excel through agriculture.
30-year-old Tashi Tobgay returned from India more than a year ago and could not leave due to the pandemic. Heading back to his village, Tashi ventured into farming. He got trained from the Agriculture Research and Development Center in Wengkhar, Monggar, and has managed to set up a farm. Today, his farm in Nanong Gewog has become a model.
“I went to India to work after completing my class XII. I was down there for almost five years. Since my wife was pregnant, I came back. So, I thought of working at home. If we have interest nothing is difficult. It is interesting.” said Tashi Tobgay.
His hard work is paying off slowly. Among other vegetables grown by him, the onion harvest is good this time. Despite being new to farming, Tashi has become the face of modern agriculture within a short period.
“Many farmers in the village visit my farm to learn. When I came they did not prepare beds for the plantation. The seeds and saplings were planted directly after digging. Now after seeing my farm, they started making beds in their field,” he said.
Unlike others, he doesn’t want to grow all kinds of vegetables and fruits on his farm. He wants to focus on only a few varieties of fruits and vegetables which are high in demand.
“I have been growing tomatoes, chilies, and onions. If I get more land in the future, I will be concentrating on these vegetables. In addition, I am also thinking to have a mass plantation of passion fruit in the future,” Tashi added.
Tashi doesn’t want to stop here as he also plans to have a poultry farm soon. Likewise, he also makes jaggery from sugarcane. Going by the enthusiasm shown by Tashi in what he is doing today, it looks like he will not only survive but thrive as a farmer as well.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
