The frequent tussle between farmers selling vegetables in Paro town and municipal officials will now be a thing of the past. The newly built Tsongdue farmers’ market offers ample space and improved facilities, ensuring better accessibility for farmers and buyers. The market was inaugurated on Wednesday.
No sooner did the inaugural procession conclude, than the farmers, on a priority basis, quickly booked the best spots in the two-storied facility.
The facility was built exclusively for farmers selling local produce. Vendors, who sell imported vegetables will continue their business from Kaja Throm.
46-year-old Phuntsho Wangmo from Doteng Gewog, who sells vegetables for a living, secured the spot next to one of the entrances.
She considers it the best location. She hopes that it is the last time she will be relocated.
Phuntsho Wangmo said, “Finally, we can sell our produce from this newly inaugurated facility. We’re happy, and the facility looks great. They have different stalls for locally produced products.”
Like Phuntsho, there are nearly 50 other farmers who sell locally sourced vegetables and other products on a regular basis.
“We are happy that we now have a proper and permanent space to do business. We’ll have proper shelter from the rain and sun, unlike before,” said Kinzang Wangmo, a vendor.
Zam, a vendor said, “We, the local vegetable sellers, faced many challenges in Paro because we were repeatedly relocated until this facility was completed. Now that it is complete, we are hopeful we won’t be asked to move again.”
“We are hopeful that officials won’t relocate us again. Otherwise, this place is great, and the parking facility is very convenient,” said Tenzin Dorji, a vendor.
The district’s Municipality Office says the vendors will need to reserve spots on a priority basis, ensuring equal opportunities for farmers who occasionally sell vegetables. Permanent reservations or storage will not be permitted to maintain fairness.
Thromde Ngotshab Deki Lhamo said, “We faced issues in the past where local vegetable vendors couldn’t get designated spaces because permanent vendors would occupy them by storing goods overnight. This forced many local vendors to sell their produce on the streets. After much consultation with key stakeholders, we moved only the local vendors into the Tsongdue Farmers Market shed.”
The government invested over Nu 32 M for the facility, which includes ramps that are disability- and trolley-friendly, dedicated spaces for wholesale dealers and a convenient parking lot.
To cover maintenance and waste management costs, the municipality office charges a minimal fee of Nu 75 per day.
The municipality office says they will outsource the market’s management in six months.
Namgay Wangchuk
Edited by Sangay Chezom
