The Trashigang District Administration has a unique Sunday vegetable market concept which was started earlier this year. It allows farmers to sell farm produce in open spaces in the town. Besides the farmers in Trashigang, the initiative benefits the farmers from the nearby gewogs of Monggar and Trashi Yangtse. However, the initiative has started to face a few challenges which were overlooked.
Sunday mornings are a busy affair for farmers in Trashigang. They can be seen rushing to book a spot inside the structure that houses the prayer wheel and the sheds of the houses around the town.
Once the available areas are filled, the rest of the farmers have to sell their produce in the open parking area.
Farmers come to sell vegetables, fruits, dairy products and other local products.
The unbearably hot and humid weather and heavy monsoon in Trashigang make it difficult for the farmers to sell their farm produce in the open space.
Although there is a vegetable market in the town that remains open throughout the week, the district administration started the Sunday vegetable market initiative solely for the farmers to sell local farm produce.
“The heat is unbearable during sunny days and it is difficult when don’t have a proper shed to sell vegetable. Of course, the Sunday vegetable market initiative has benefitted our farmers,” said Tshewang Namgay, a farmer.
“During sunny days, the intense heat of the Sun damages the green vegetables. Similarly, the rain also damages our farm produce when it rains. So, we will be grateful if the district provides us a shed,” said Namkha Wangmo, another farmer.
The farmers from Narang and Drametse Gewogs of Monggar and Ramjar and Yallang Gewogs from Tashi Yangtse come to sell their farm produce in Trashigang town during Sundays.
But it looks like the farmers here will have to continue to bear the inconvenience for some time. The Trashigang Dzongda says it is not feasible to construct temporary sheds in the current locations as they are scattered within settlements. However, he added that the district administration is looking for locations to make a proper vegetable market designated for farmers.
The Trashigang District Administration initiated the Sunday vegetable market concept to encourage farmers to cultivate vegetables.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
