Farmers in the east no longer have to worry about selling their farm produce at low prices. They can store it in cold storage and sell it when the price is good. The much-needed infrastructure was inaugurated yesterday at Gomchu in Trashigang.
Farmers in Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Monggar and Lhuentse grow almost all kinds of vegetables and fruits.
The farmers mostly grow potato, on a large scale.
Until now, they had to store the potato in their homes or in temporary sheds which was inconvenient.
“If we are provided with free space with support from the government, it will benefit us. Back at home, we store the potato harvest on the ground floor of our house and the potato either starts rotting or gets damaged by insects as there is no cooling system,” said Yeshi Jamtsho, a farmer.
“We are able to sell only 75 per cent as the remaining 25 per cent gets damaged. Without a cold storage facility, we have to take the farm produce directly to the market. But with the inauguration of the facility, we can sell when the price is better,” said Tshering, another farmer.
“Farmers are dependent on agricultural works. Recently, we heard and knew that the price of potato has decreased. So, we can store the potato in the cold storage facility and sell it when the price is good. It will benefit us,” said Sonam Dorji, Khaling Gup.
The farmers have to pay a minimal fee and can store any kind of vegetables, fruits, dairy products and meat in the cold storage facility. The facility has a capacity of 300 tons.
“The cold storage is being initiated for the first time in the country. When it comes to the charges, it is minimal. It is mainly for the farmers and businessmen. If we calculate the actual charges, it comes to around Nu 30,000 but we are charging around Nu 4,000 to 8,000 per room,” said Dorji Tashi, the FCB CEO.
According to the Food Corporation of Bhutan, some vendors have already booked some of the compartments.
The FCB CEO said they will also start potato grading and online vegetable auctions from the same location. The CEO added that it is expected to begin next year.
The construction of the facility which started in 2021 was supposed to be completed in six months. But it got delayed due to site development, water seepage during construction, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility was completed mid of this year.
It was constructed spending Nu 57 M.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tshering Zam
