Ginger farmers in Samdrup Jongkhar may finally see some relief, as the Food Corporation of Bhutan has started auctioning ginger in the district’s auction yard for the first time. For years, growers relied on middlemen to sell their produce, often at a lower price. With farmers struggling to find buyers and prices dropping this season, the new auction system is expected to ease these challenges.
The Food Corporation of Bhutan in Samdrup Jongkhar began auctioning ginger this week.
Sonam Tenzin, a local trader who buys ginger from farmers and exports it to India, auctioned his 500 kilograms of ginger.
Sonam says that in the past, without the auction, he could barely get Nu 30 per kilogram. But through the auction, he was able to fetch Nu 38 per kilogram.
“Auctioning will benefit both the villagers and the government. Earlier, when we sold directly across the border, the Indian traders sometimes did not pay us on time. There have been many such cases. But now, with the auction system, bidders from both India and Bhutan participate, so the price is likely to go up,” he added.
Tshering Dorji, a ginger grower, says the price has improved at the auction.
“During the auction, bidders keep increasing the price, and the highest bidders buy the produce. For us, getting even one ngultrum more per kilogram makes a big difference.”
The auction will be conducted three times a day, morning, afternoon, and evening, to ensure a smooth flow and better participation from both sellers and buyers.
“Anyone can bring their produce to the auction yard, and we facilitate the buyers. This way, there will be a market for whatever farmers bring to auction. The highest bidder will get the produce, so it directly benefits the farmers as they get good prices,” said Sawdev Koirala, the manager of FCBL in Samdrup Jongkhar.
So far, more than 1,500 kilograms of ginger have been auctioned.
Samdrup Jongkhar produces over 630 metric tons or 63 truckloads of ginger annually.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Phub Gyem
