The Wobthang Organic Wonders Project in Tang Gewog of Bumthang made headlines when a vast chunk of fallow land was transformed into arable farmland last year amid the food security threat the pandemic triggered in the country. The vegetable farm also caught attention, as the former Opposition Leader, Dr Pema Gyamtsho initiated the project upon his resignation from politics. So, how is the farm faring a year on after its establishment?
Last year, the farm grew a variety of vegetables on about 30 acres of land. However, most of the harvest couldn’t be sold because of lack of a market. This year, the farm is growing 30 acres of potatoes, 10 acres of buckwheat and some other crops.
“As most of the farm works here are mechanized, potato and buckwheat cultivation are the most feasible here” said Chimi Dorji, the Technical Advisor at the Wobthang Organic Wonders. “We are also trying out asparagus and strawberry.”
The farm is still challenged with marketing issues as it is quite far from bigger markets such as Thimphu and Phuentsholing. For instance, it could sell only about 50 kilograms of tomatoes in Bumthang from about one ton of yield.
The farm is also not able to attract regular employees despite offering a minimum monthly salary of Nu 15,000. Meanwhile, the ownership of the farm is also not clear as of now.
Chimi Dorji said they are considering two options. “First is as a private vegetable farm run by a group of private individuals and the second is as a joint venture between the founders of the farm and the Tang community as the land has traditionally been used by the people here,” said the technical director.
“However, it cannot be converted to a government-owned farm as the government has different responsibilities” he added.
So far, around Nu 6.5 M has been spent on the farm excluding land development works, and seed, electric fencing and greenhouse support provided by various agencies under the agriculture ministry.
From the total expenses, the Prime Minister’s Office provided Nu 4 M and the founders of the farm contributed the remaining amount.
Kipchu, Bumthang
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
