Most times, it is the lack of a market that discourages the farmers in the remote villages from growing more farm produce. In an effort to sell more farm produce, farmers in Pema Gatshel can now make use of the Sustainable Hospitality Industry Inclusive of Native Entrepreneurs or SHINE project’s online platform. The project trained farmers in Pema Gatshel on the usage of the e-commerce platform in Shumar Gewog recently.
Some 60 participants from different gewogs in Pema Gatshel were equipped with skills to thrive in the digital market. The e-commerce training taught participants the basics of e-commerce and guided them on how to upload their products on the Shine app. With this, customers will soon be able to place orders for local produce through the project’s website and mobile application.
The participants said the online platform will help them reach a wider market, increasing their income and improving their livelihoods.
Dendup Tshering, a participant said, “Though we do not have our own produce, we can help farmers sell theirs to the customers. We can make some income from that too.”
“I learnt how to post our farm produce online for sale. In the future if I happen to run any kind of business, this e-commerce platform will help me,” said Tashi Lhamo, a participant.
“It will also help the customers to get fresh vegetables as we can harvest vegetables after receiving our orders through the app,” said Tshewang Norbu, a participant,
“I think the app will be more convenient and will cause less damages to our farm produce,” said Pema Chedon, a participant.
Besides farm produce, the online platform will serve as a marketplace for handmade crafts and other local products available in the district.
“It is to link our local producers with the tourism sector through the tourism value chain. Secondly, it is to mitigate the import and to encourage them to use their local produce. And lastly, it is to help generate income for farmers and to enhance their livelihood,” said Tshering Wangmo, the Project Coordinator, the SHINE Project.
Sellers can also update and make changes in prices and quantity on the app.
The two-day training ended earlier this week. It was organised by the SHINE Project with funding support from the EU SWITCH-Asia programme. The training will also be conducted in six eastern districts and Dagana.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sangay Chezom
