Farmers in Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang no longer struggle to sell their paddy. Under the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited’s aggregation programme, the farmers sell their paddy directly to the company. After milling and packaging the rice, the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited, FMCL, then sells it to the Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited. Since the initiative began last year, the programme has transformed their livelihoods by providing farmers with stable markets, fair prices and reduced post-harvest losses.
The aggregation centre is busy these days. Gembo, a 58-year-old farmer from Barp Gewog in Punakha, has come to the FMCL aggregation centre at Rinchengang in Wangdue Phodrang to sell his paddy.
This is his second time selling it to FMCL, and the programme has motivated him to work harder each year.
“Earlier, we had to dry our paddy and then travel to Thimphu on weekends. If we stayed here, we had to sell it in Wangdue and Punakha towns, which was difficult and meant waiting the whole day. However, since the government started collecting paddy from us last year, the process has become much easier and more convenient.”
Likewise, other farmers share the same enthusiasm for FMCL’s aggregation programme. The corporation currently pays Nu 56 per kilogram for the Tantshering variety and Nu 63 per kilogram for Nabja.
“Earlier, we used to cultivate paddy only for self-consumption as we did not have a market. But this year, I cultivated around three plots of land to sell them here to FMCL. I think the FMCL’s price is acceptable since we neither have to mill it ourselves nor do we have to travel to the market to sell it. We can sell it directly to FMCL after harvesting it from the field. It is a good profit for us,” said Kinley Wangmo, Farmer, Dochhukha-Dzomlingthang-Ritsa Chiwog, Guma Gewog, Punakha.
“If we want to increase the varieties of rice, Khamtey rice is as tasty as Tantshering and Nabja varieties. Today, Khamtey rice has also gained good popularity in the market. So, if the government could buy the Khamtey variety as well and give the same opportunity for it. Likewise, I feel it would become even more convenient for farmers if such buying centres could be opened in every district,” said Yeshi Tshering, Farmer, Baymenang-Phulingsum-Wangwakha Chiwog, Guma Gewog, Punakha.
“We feel more inspired and encouraged when the government supports us like this. It becomes even more motivating when we hear that the government is buying our paddy. So, we are putting more effort into our work, knowing that there is a place to sell our produce. All of us have worked harder because we now have a reliable market. I am planning to cultivate more Tantshering paddy next year,” said Pema Zangmo, Farmer, Bumtakha-Tenpakha Chiwog, Chhubu Gewog, Punakha.
The Farm Machinery Corporation Limited Regional office in Wangdue Phodrang aims to purchase over one million tonnes of paddy this year. If it falls short, it plans to purchase other varieties, such as Khamtey, to meet the target.
Last year, FMCL in Wangdue Phodrang purchased approximately 134 tonnes of paddy from local farmers. This year, it has purchased around 87 tonnes so far. For now, FMCL buys only the Tantshering and Nabja varieties because they are popular and have a good market demand.
“We do not accept paddy randomly from farmers. Firstly, we examine the moisture content of the paddy. The international standard for moisture content is 14 per cent. We reject the paddy if the moisture content is found to be below 11 per cent. And moisture testing alone is not enough; we also have to verify the purity of the paddy. While the international standard requires 98 per cent purity, we accept 95 per cent purity according to our rules, but with deductions from the payment,” said Tashi, Aggregation Focal Person, FMCL Regional Office, Wangdue Phodrang.
The FMCL consulted with farmers and agreed that they would bring their paddy directly to the aggregation centre, helping the corporation reduce costs.
The aggregation programme focuses on six priority crops: rice, wheat, quinoa, soybean, peanut, and maize. It aims to enhance food security, ensure a reliable domestic food supply, and empower farmers across Bhutan with better market access and fair pricing.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sonam Pem
