Farm Machinery Corporation Limited or FMCL’s mega farm at Nyelsiphu in Dopshari Gewog of Paro is targeting to produce up to six tons of cauliflower this winter. Officials said the target is achievable despite an extreme drop in temperature during the cold winter, especially at night. The farm was set up last year to produce off-season vegetables.
Today, three members look after the farm. They are busy harvesting cauliflowers. It is expected to last till the end of march this year. The farm is equipped with modern facilities.
“Till now, we have harvested and sold 190 kilograms of cauliflowers. Our target is to produce five to six tons of cauliflowers this year. It is the first time that we are trying to produce cauliflowers on a trial basis. Before this we cultivated tomatoes,” said Ganga Ram Bista, Nyelsiphu Farm Manager.
Last year, the farm produced close to 10 tons of tomatoes which exceeded the target of eight tons.
It was mostly sold in Paro, Thimphu, Chhukha and Samtse.
“Last year we harvested and sold 9,700 kilograms of tomatoes, which is 9.7 tons. We earned over six hundred thousand Ngutlrum from the sale of tomatoes last year. We sold to hoteliers and vegetable vendors in Paro, Thimphu, Chukha and Samtse. We covered four districts,” added Ganga Ram Bista.
The farm is developed as a model farm to encourage youth and farming enthusiasts to take agriculture as a venture to achieve food self-sufficiency.
Namgay Wangchuk
Edited by Sonam Pem
