The wait was long. But it is finally over. Ginger growers in Upper Kheng in Zhemgang can once again sell their produce to the Food Corporation of Bhutan through the corporation’s buyback scheme. The government initiated the buy-back scheme in March 2021 considering the poor market for the produce amid the pandemic.
The ginger growers from Tshanglajong, Goling and Berti villages in Zhemgang have brought their harvest to sell to the FCB buyback focal person at Tingtibi. The price is not up to the expectation but they are happy to be able to sell it. They were initially concerned about finding a market for their harvest without local buyers amid the pandemic.
“We thank the FCBL for coming to buy our produce. We were worried that we may not be able to sell our produce this time and stored it underground after harvesting,” said Sonam Phuntsho, a farmer in Nangkor Gewog.
“The price we get here depends on the quality of the produce. We earn between Nu 20 to 30 per kilogram,” said Chaychay, a farmer from Trong Gewog.
“Though the price of ginger is less this time, I am optimistic that we can grow more next season and fetch a better price,” said Tenzin Dorji, another farmer from Trong Gewog.
The farmers are not happy about the deduction of Nu 14 from each sack of ginger. However, the officials clarified that the deduction is to compensate for the cost of packing materials and weight loss once it reaches the depot.
The corporation’s focal person has purchased about 12,000 kilograms of ginger till today in Trong Gewog. The FCB exports ginger to India.
The same team plans to move to lower Kheng to buy ginger from the farmers there. Zhemgang sold about 500 metric tons of ginger last year and the district expects to sell the same amount this year as well.
Ginger is one of the main cash crops for the people of eight gewogs in the district.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
