Finding a market is a major concern for most farmers in the country. Even after good harvests, many farmers struggle to find buyers for their produce. Sibjam, an online marketplace launched today, aims to address this.
With its help, farmers will no longer have to go from pillar to post in search of buyers for their produce. Before the farmers harvest their crops or any produce, Sibjam promises to find them customers.
According to the founder, Kinley Wangchuk, farmers will also receive transportation and logistical services, allowing them to focus on production rather than wasting time and resources looking for a market.
“You have your crops ready, you harvest them but you are worried about rotting and not getting a good price,” he said. He added that Sibjam will collect data and information on farm produce across the country and will work to strengthen producer-consumer relationships.
Today, over 1,500 farmers from across the country with more than 200 types of organic and local farm produce have registered for the service.
“We have data of all the farmers, what they grow, when they harvest, how much do they grow,” he said. “What we do is, because we have the data, we also know where they are, knowing the data, we help market their farm produce”.
For now, Sibjam will provide the products to consumers on a wholesale basis, although they plan to provide retail services soon.
The digital platform was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and facilitated by the Bhutan Foundation and Loden Foundation.
Pema Seldon Tshering
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
