To promote locally produced farm and livestock products under the ‘One Gewog One Product (OGOP) initiative, Tsirang recently launched several agricultural products and one livestock product. The launch, held during the National Day celebrations, aims to improve rural livelihoods by strengthening local economies and creating awareness about local products.
Under the initiative, Sergithang Gewog will continue to focus on organic quinoa production. Farmers started growing quinoa, often referred to as a ‘superfood’, some eight years ago.
However, they stopped growing the crop during the COVID-19 pandemic due to marketing challenges and low prices.
With the support from relevant agencies, farmers resumed quinoa cultivation last year. The government has also identified quinoa as a priority crop in the 13th Five-Year-Plan because of its high nutritional value and income potential.
During the launch, value-added quinoa products were displayed to promote the crop and build consumer confidence.
The District Agriculture Officer said all four products under the ‘One Gewog One Products’ programme have received organic certifications from the National Centre for Organic Agriculture and the Local Organic Assurance System.
“Quinoa is very healthy, and its demand has grown in recent years. So, marketing is no longer an issue. This is why we promoted it as One Gewog One Product from Sergithang Gewog,” said Karma Wangdi, District Agriculture Officer, Tsirang.
Similarly, ginger and turmeric were launched as the ‘One Gewog One Product’ from Rangthangling Gewog. Farmers have been growing organic ginger and turmeric on large scales for years.
The fourth product under the initiative is cauliflower, grown in Patshaling Gewog’s Thakorling Chiwog. The chiwog was identified as an organic village in 2021.
The district administration hopes that the ‘One Gewog One Product’ initiative will encourage more farmers to produce organic crops and boost the overall organic production.
“If farmers achieve large-scale organic production, we will support them with value addition and market linkages. This will improve market access for their farm produce and encourage them to focus on the identified products,” added Karma Wangdi, District Agriculture Officer, Tsirang.
As a part of the initiative, the district livestock sector also launched ‘ghee’, a locally made boiled butter.
Organic products are currently priced higher, which limits consumer demand. However, initiatives like the ‘One Gewog One Product’ aim to increase organic production, which could make these products more affordable.
The One Gewog One Product programme is a Royal initiative under the Queen’s Project Office, which supports farmers in growing, packaging and marketing their local produce.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam Pem
