The Farm Machinery Corporation Limited (FMCL) in Paro is doing its bit towards achieving the national goals of food security and self-sufficiency. It targets to produce 13 metric tonnes of tomato and chilli from its mega greenhouse farm at Nyeshiphu in Dopshari Gewog in the next three to four months.
The four acres of the area were morphed into a mega greenhouse farm with sophisticated facilities more than five months ago. The farm has some eight mega greenhouses along with semi-automated irrigation facilities. They currently nurture hundreds of tomato and chilli seedlings.
Once ripen, the harvest will hit the market in Paro at a reasonable rate.
“Our farmers in Paro grow these vegetables on a small scale while in the south, farmers take up mass cultivation. So, when the harvest reaches here, it becomes expensive,” said Jitshen Wangchuk, the Deputy General Manager under the service department of FMCL.
“So our aim is to grow chili and tomatoes in abundance and sell to the residents here at a reasonable rate,” he continued.
However, the FMCL has laid future plans that if the supply exceeds the demand in the district, then the surplus stock will be taken to nearby dzongkhags.
Furthermore, the mega greenhouse farm is developed as model farming to encourage small-scale farmers and youth to take up Agri-business ventures.
“Not many are willing to work on farms because they have to get used to mud and for youth, agriculture is not even on their minds. Well, this mega greenhouse, equipped with modern technology is less laborious and hope youth will take up as a serious business,” said Jitshen Wangchuk.
During the harsh winter, the FMCL intends to grow cabbage, broccoli and cauliflowers in the greenhouses.
Other than this, the farm has a few mixed fruit orchards and a hydroponic farming system. It will also house livestock to produce manure and dairy products.
According to the FMCL, such initiatives are expected to complement the agriculture ministry’s efforts in its food security objectives and ultimately achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Pema Lhaden
