The second edition of the Dagap Farm Festival concluded yesterday, drawing mixed reactions from the public due to low customer turnout. Both farmers and visitors say that even the quantity of farm produce on display was lower than in the past edition of the festival. The Dagana District Administration organised the festival to support farmers by promoting local products and improving access to market.
The festival was organised at the Dagapela Middle Secondary School football ground for the convenience of all 14 gewogs in Dagana.
However, the farm festival recorded very low attendance on both days, attracting only a handful of visitors, mainly from Dagapela town and nearby areas.
A few farmers who brought farm produce to the festival said many of their fellow farmers chose not to attend, citing limited value and lack of variety as reasons. They added that most of the items were already available in their respective gewogs.
Some others said the absence of recreational activities such as games and entertainment may have further discouraged public turnout.
To increase turnout, a local leader suggested organising the Dagap Farm Festival alongside the Dagapela annual tshechu in the future to draw larger crowds.
“Unlike in 2019, there is no large crowd this time visiting the farm festival. With very few customers, sellers themselves have become like customers. I could not sell much and earned only around two thousand ngultrum over the last two days,” said Om Nath Bahun, a farmer from Tsendagang Gewog.
“Not many customers are visiting our stall. As we had limited produce, we managed to sell most of it. We could have sold more if there were customers,” said Padam Bdr Gurung, a farmer from Nichula Gewog, Dagana.
Despite the low attendance, farm produce such as quinoa, buckwheat flour, strawberries, and black rice sold well.
“I have almost sold all my farm produce. Customers prefer quinoa and have been visiting our stall,” said Dil Maya Tamang, a farmer from Khebisa Gewog.
Moreover, some stalls also had very limited farm produce on display, leaving customers with fewer choices. Stalls from Tseza and Kana Gewogs had only three items for sale.
On the second day, Tseza and Drujeygang Gewogs’ stalls remained empty with no farm produce on display.
The District Economic Development and Marketing Officer said the gewog administrations have been informed to prepare for the event two months in advance.
District Economic Development and Marketing Officer Pema Yangden said, “We informed all 14 gewogs to prepare for the farm festival focusing on ‘One Gewog, One Product’. They were also asked to submit product lists after identifying. However, as the festival coincided with the off-season, farm produce availability is limited.”
Greater community participation and improved coordination are expected in the coming years. Dagana District Administration plans to organise the festival annually.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Phub Gyem
