Gasa Rangzhin Sanam Dhetshen was awarded the best organic farmers’ award of the year in Thimphu yesterday. The 51-member cooperative was formed in 2015. The group focuses on producing potatoes, carrot and garlic and markets their produce in Thimphu.
“We fetch higher prices for organic products. We use compost manure and use onion leaves and walnut tree leaves as pesticides,” Tashi, the chairperson of the group, said.
The award was organised in an effort towards encouraging organic farming and to meet the country’s aim to go 100 per cent organic by 2020.
The ministry also certified two farming cooperatives, three private firms and certified five products from four districts. The awards and certifications were based on biannual supervisions conducted by the National Organic Programme under the agriculture ministry.
The certified products include cassava powder produced by Green Hill Farm from Pema Gatshel, rice and watermelon from Zhemgang, xanltoxylem or pepper from Trongsa and tomato and adzuki bean from Thimphu.
“With the certification, we will have better opportunities for our products now. Earlier, when we were doing marketing, some customers asked us for certifications,” Sangay Zangmo of Green Hill Farm, said.
As a part of the event, the ministry also launched five documents which are essential for organic farming in the country. It will serve as a manual and guidelines for organic farmers and references during the certification process.
“It will be a basis of reference for certifiers like us and BAFRA. Also, with lots of organic producers coming up, the manuals will help them while taking up the organic farming,” Pema Zangmo, the Senior Agriculture Supervisor, said
The awards and certifications will now be organised annually.
