The local leaders of Sarpang appealed for a formal trade route via Gelephu during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu. They said despite producing huge amounts of areca nut farmers are unable to earn better income without a formal route. For now, farmers sell it to Indian middlemen.
Sarpang exports around 6,000 to 7,000 metric tonnes of areca nut annually.
Local leaders said if there is a formal route, they can export it directly to India by themselves, earning a good income.
“Areca nut growers in Sarpang have been encountering problems in exporting the areca nut. Dzongda is aware of the issue. We have been facing the problem for years and if it continues, it will impact our income and the economy. We appeal to Dzongkhag Tshogdu to forward the issue to the Parliament as we received concerns from business people and farmers,” said Jigme, Singye Gup.
“Farmers are unable to fetch good prices for areca nut. The trade route is via Phuentshogling only. We want to request the agencies concerned and the Members of Parliament present here to raise the concerns in the Parliament,” said Karma Tshering, Chhuzergang Gup.
Sarpang Dzongda Lobzang Dorji who was recently appointed as RCSC commissioner informed the house that they have already submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment to open trade routes via Gelephu.
Dzongda further added that there is a need for more trade routes across border towns in other districts as well.
“It is not only for areca nut export. There is a need for many trade routes to be opened. For example, there is a need to open a route for Sarpang via Datgari, from Daranga for Samdrup Jongkhar, via West Bengal for Dagana and Nagapani for Nganglam and Pema Gatshel. Works are underway to open trade routes from these places at once. The Ministry of , Industry, Commerce and Employment discussed the matter with the foreign affairs and external trade ministry. The Indian Embassy has asked to submit all the export trade routes’ proposals at once so that it can be discussed at once.”
Currently, areca nut exports are only permitted from Phuentshogling via Jaigoan and Samtse (Chamaruchi) border gates.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Tshering Zam
