The eight-member tour guide group who were the first guides in Paro to venture into vegetable farming has started selling their first harvests from the farm.
The group had leased two acres of land from a private landowner in March and had planted cabbage, broccoli, beans and peas among other vegetables. They have so far earned Nu 18000 from their first sales. Their main customers are quarantine centers and tour guides working under the tourism stimulus plan in Taktshang.
The group who had ventured into vegetable farming following the COVID-19 pandemic said that one of their major challenges was their inexperience and reasonable price for their produce.
Group member Tshering Peldon, said a major part of their investment went towards using farm machinery while tilling the fallow land in the beginning. “Our inexperience cost us. However, we will be able to recover the investments in the first year and we are expecting to make a full profit in the second year.”
Another member Tshering Choki, said that vegetable vendors offer the lowest rate to the producer. “Recently vendors bought beans from us at Nu 30 and said they will be selling in the market at Nu 50. But in reality, beans are sold at Nu 100 in the market.”
Despite these challenges, the group said they are determined to continue with their venture. The group said that even if the pandemic situation gets better and tourism resumes, they will continue and complete the two years lease agreement with the landowner. They plan to grow winter crops and medicinal plants.
Namgay Wangchuk
