While ginger farmers in Zhemgang worry over tons of their produce stocked at a temporary depot in the district, the situation in Gelephu isn’t any better. The FCB Auction yard in Gelephu, from where ginger is exported to other countries, is also filled with tons of unsold ginger for more than two months now. The Food Corporation of Bhutan buys ginger from farmers through the buy-back scheme.
The FCB regional office in Gelephu collected more than 600 tons of ginger from Sarpang, Trongsa, Zhemgang, Tsirang and Dagana. They were bought through the buy-back scheme spending more than Nu 2.8 M.
The corporation exported only about 200 tons so far due to import restrictions in India from last year until May this year.
FCB paid the farmers Nu 20 to 30 per kilogram. But today, the corporation is selling the produce at a loss.
“We are trying to sort it out and sell it. Otherwise, there is no market at all. The value, they are quoting us is Nu 5 to 10. We sold it for Nu 5, 6 and 7, and the highest was Nu 10 per kilogram. We are trying to sell it as soon as possible,” said Ugyen Choedup, the Regional Director of FCB Regional Office in Gelephu.
Officials say the price has dropped this time due to the poor quality of spice.
The FCB collected about 3,600 metric tons of ginger from across the country. Today, there are about 1,300 metric tons still left in the FCB depots. FCB officials say they are hoping to sell all the produce by the mid of this month.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Tshering Zam
