With barely any space left to move around, the vegetable vendors of Samdrupchhoeling Dungkhag in Samdrup Jongkhar are almost rooted on their seats. Without enough space to store their vegetables, they are also not able to buy enough from the farmers, most often. Hence, a need for a bigger shed has become urgent.
The lone vegetable shed in the dungkhag is just half the size of a volleyball court. Four of them operate in the shed. Due to the cramped space inside, they are not able to stock up vegetables in large quantities. They have stacked plastic trays outside to create their own space to display vegetables. However, doing business is never easy.
According to a vendor, Sangay Dema, they use tarpaulin sheets to protect vegetables from heat. But, she said, since it gives vegetables a different colour people don’t buy thinking they are spoiled.
“We don’t have a toilet and there is a water problem. We don’t have a proper place to dump our garbage as well. When it rains, our vegetables get spoiled, even if we use tarpaulin sheet,” said Nima Zangmo, another vendor.
Because the shed doesn’t have storage space, vendors said they can’t buy everything farmers bring.
Besides, the shed also doesn’t have other amenities such as an electricity supply.
However, this is bound to change soon.
The Samdrupchholing Dungkhag Administration plans to construct a new vegetable market in the new township area, about 200 meters away from the present shed. It is currently in the tendering stage. The new shed will accommodate 50 vendors and will have all the basic amenities. It will also be bigger and will also have a separate space for local products.
The Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests will fund construction worth Nu 2M.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Chayku
