During the discussion on the National Budget Financial Year 2020-21 Report today, some members of the National Assembly questioned the government on setting up of cold storage facilities in the country.
Members raised concerns that farmers across the country are growing vegetables and fruits to meet local demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and without proper storage facilities, surplus farm produce might go to waste.
The government has recently announced plans to set up cold storage facilities to store surplus vegetables and fruits during the peak season.
Dorji Wangdi, Member of Parliament from Panbang Constituency in Zhemgang questioned when and where the cold storage facilities would be constructed.
Lungten Namgyel, Member of Parliament from Nanong-Shumar Constituency in Pemagatshel, said that during the pandemic, farmers are growing farm produces in large scale. “Is the government planning to immediately construct cold storage facilities in 20 dzongkhags,” he asked.
The agriculture minister informed the house that five to eight integrated warehouses will be constructed. Lyonpo said that while ministry plans to construct one in Nganglam for the eastern part of the country, and one each for central and western part of the country, the plan is still under discussion.
“As an immediate measure, we have cold storages in FCBs in Samdrup Jongkhar and Phuentshogling. But we need to do some maintenance of the cold storage in Samdrup Jongkhar. In the southern parts of the country we need to construct a new one in Gelegphu,” Lyonpo said.
The prime minister said that only few vegetables and fruits could be stored for a longer period of time. “Now when we say we will construct cold storage facilities, we do not know which vegetables can be stored for five or six months. There are no vegetables that can be stored for this long. For example, spinach, tomato, brinjal and cabbage cannot be stored. We have researched properly and there is a loophole,” said Lyonchhen.
The prime minister said for now the government will set up two cold storage facilities as a pilot project.
Sangay Chenzom/ Tshering Zam
