Remote yet fertile, farmers of Ngambinang in Trashigang’s Yangnyer Gewog have been into large-scale vegetable farming for years. The village produces more than 30 metric tonnes of vegetables annually. But, for farmers there, poor road conditions and wild animals often turn their hard work into disappointment.
The village has only ten households and is located about 21 kilometres from the gewog centre.
Despite its remoteness, a variety of vegetables and fruits are grown here for commercial purposes.
On average, a farmer earns more than Nu 100,000 in a year.
However, protecting them from wild animals has been a challenge.
Farmers currently use barbed wire and green nets as fencing, but these measures are not very effective.
Adding to this, the 12-kilometre farm road is in poor condition and becomes risky, especially during the monsoon.
Sonam Gyeltshen, a farmer said, “If a vegetable can earn Nu 50-70 per kilogramme, we end up selling it at around Nu 20-30. Vendors even refuse to come here to pick up the vegetables, blaming the bad road conditions. So, we are affected. Vegetable is the only source of income for us and we don’t have other alternate source of income.”
Another farmer Ngidup Zangmo said, “It is a remote place but anything can grow here. Wild animals damage our crops and this discourage us from working. We work hard and if we can get the price as expected, we can earn more, but the price drops due to poor road conditions.”
Likewise, Yeshi Wangdi said, “We don’t have any other option than growing vegetables, even if the price is low. Selling vegetables is the main source of income. The bad road condition has affected getting good price, but we have to continue growing vegetables.”
The Yangnyer Gup said a budget has been allocated in this financial year to maintain the existing farm road.
Similarly, plans are there to provide electric fencing.
If required facilities are provided, farmers are hopeful their hard work will bring them the income they deserve.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tshering Zam
