To encourage local vegetable vendors, the Trashigang district administration has introduced the Sunday market practice. For this, the district has identified the town’s parking space to sell local produce every Sunday. The farmers began the practice earlier this month.
Every Sunday morning, farmers from various gewogs come to Trashigang town with vehicles loaded with local produce. Besides Trashigang, farmers from Mongar and Tashi Yangtse come to sell their local vegetables.
They sell varieties of vegetables, fruits, nuts and dairy products. The district identified the parking space for the Sunday market to encourage farmers to grow local vegetables by providing a market.
“In the past, due to lack of a proper place, we used to sell vegetables where people gather the most. It was inconvenient. However, after identifying the parking area to sell vegetables, we are grateful. There is enough space here and I have been coming here to sell my vegetables,” said Ugyen Wangdi, a farmer from Bartsham Gewog.
“I used to sell vegetables from the vegetable shed. The business wasn’t good as I could hardly sell. Most of the time I had to return home with the vegetables. However, with the newly identified area, we can sell all our stock and it has become very convenient for us. We aren’t chased like in the past,” said Yangdon, another farmer.
While the farmers are happy with the arrangement, they said a temporary shed would be useful to keep the vegetables fresh.
“Well, for now, the newly identified space is benefiting the farmers. But I see a problem during the monsoon as it’s in the open. There’s a space near the prayer wheel but it won’t be enough for all of us,” added Ugyen Wangdi.
“I think we need a shed here as it will be inconvenient during monsoon. The heat will dry the vegetables and the rain will damage the vegetables,” added Yangdon.
According to the district administration, depending on the farmer’s turnout, they will see the possibility to build a temporary shelter. Moreover, the plan to build a vegetable shed is also being discussed.
Trashigang town has a vegetable shed where the ground floor is designated for local produce. But the facility remains underutilised as farmers prefer selling along the roadside.
However, the permanent vendors use the shed.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Sonam Pem
