While some of the farmers are cautiously venturing into the business of large-scale vegetable production, some farmers have taken it another level.
Themnangbi is one of the highest vegetable production villages in Monggar. Themnangbi is located about 22 kilometres from Monggar town.
Every household of the village is making extra effort to grow vegetables this winter. Tshewang Dema, 42, is one of them. She says their income has increased after they took up vegetable production in winter . “We now depend on vegetables to educate our children and even for the daily income.”
The villagers cultivate vegetables keeping a gap of about two weeks to maintain continuous supply, a basic farming technique, they learnt.
“The produce is better when we follow the methods taught by agriculture officials. We follow strict timing and methods which have made difference,” said one of the farmers, Deki.
The community is working in groups that are supported by Regional Agriculture Marketing & Cooperatives Office.
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The Chairperson of the village Agriculture co-operative, Cheki Dorji, said they were given technical support and advices by officials from different agencies including Dzongkhag officials. “It made a huge difference,” he said.
Cheki Dorji also said they are planning to export vegetable outside the country. “Since we have a good support from the government, we are committed to work hard to take our business outside the country.”
Even though the community is expecting an increase in the vegetable production in years to come, they fear that they will not be able to find market. “Even today when we have good production we can hardly sell all of it,” said one of the farmers.
The Agricultural officials say marketing is not a serious issue now. They are working on partnerships and will be able to export all the vegetables.
Thenmangbi has over 20 households with about 100 people.
