Marketing local produce will now be easier in the country. The Agro-logistics and Marketing Cooperative (ALMC) launched its first market outlet in Thimphu today. Through improved coordination and communication, the outlet will connect producers and suppliers to market their agricultural produce and maintain the supply chain.
With 51 members spread across the districts, the new outlet is expected to reduce market chain and fast track marketing of vegetables.
“Currently, we are having a lot of issues with the supply chain and marketing of the agricultural produce especially chilli and cabbage these days. Because of a lack of marketing information dissemination, there is no interlink between the vendors and producers. So through ALMC outlet, we will be providing market information through the producer to go for the prioritized crop which has commercial viability,” said Sangay Needup, the Chairperson of the cooperative.
The outlet located at Motithang is also expected to reduce the unavailability of vegetables during the off-season.
“Since the vegetables are perishables in nature, it gets damaged in a few days. For instance, it gets damaged within a day while transporting. So since our members are being trained with post-harvesting handling techniques. Through our ALMC outlet, we can minimize the losses caused during the transportation,” added the Chairperson.
The cooperative plans to open nine more outlets in different locations in the capital.
Choni Dema/Karma Wangdi