Just over a month after its launch, the Sunday market in Phuentshogling is already drawing huge crowds, with people turning up from the early hours each week. Farmers have already earned more than Nu 2.5 M from the sale of local produce, reflecting growing demand and participation.
More than ten farmer groups now gather every Sunday around the Zangdopelri area in Phuentshogling, turning the space into a lively marketplace. From early morning, residents and visitors from across the border arrive to buy fresh produce from the temporary stalls set up for the day.
With a wide range of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, processed agri-food products, and flowers on offer, the market continues to draw steady crowds, week after week.
“The farmers have been bringing more and more products. Also, the buyer turnout has been increasing over the weeks. It is not only the residents of Phuentshogling but also our friends from Jaigaon. Moreover, tourists in the town are also visiting the market. The shops around the market are also benefiting, especially the restaurants,” said Cheten Gyeltshen, Head, Regional Agriculture Marketing Division, Phuentshogling.
“The first week saw a good number of buyers. And in the following weeks, the number of buyers kept increasing. People are interested in local products and like our products a lot. People start coming as early as 5 and 6 in the morning,” said Choki Dema, Aggregator, Samphelling Gewog, Chhukha.
“This initiative is really helping us a lot. We are really grateful for giving us this opportunity, as this has solved the market issue. In the past, we did not have a proper marketplace,” said Ngawang Pem, Farmer, Phuentshogling, Chhukha.
Officials said local vegetables, produce, processed agri-food products and dairy items made up the largest share of sales, generating over Nu 2.1 M. They say this reflects a strong consumer preference for fresh, high-quality and locally produced goods.
Flowers and eco-friendly bags also contributed to nearly Nu 300,000 and over Nu 100,000, respectively. The market does not allow sellers to provide plastic bags.
While farmers’ income has been increasing every week, heavy and continuous rainfall in the sixth week affected sales.
“When it rains, it becomes difficult to collect vegetables from the farmers. Even after the collection, transporting them to the town is difficult due to poor road conditions in the gewogs. In the sixth week, heavy rainfall meant many sellers could not make it, and buyer turnout was also low,” added Cheten Gyeltshen, Head, Regional Agriculture Marketing Division, Phuentshogling.
According to officials, besides this challenge, the market has successfully achieved its objectives of boosting farmers’ income, strengthening direct market linkages, promoting local agriculture and strengthening community engagement.
As it continues to grow each week, the market is not just a place of trade, but a shared space where local produce, livelihoods and community spirit come together.
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Sonam Pem
