At a time when the border is closed and the local market is flooded with ginger, the government’s ginger buy-back scheme is helping farmers in Samdrup Jongkhar. The Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited (FCB) in Samdrup Jongkhar saw many farmers coming to make the most of the scheme.
So far the FCB in Samdrup Jongkhar has exported about 280 tonnes or more than 35 truckloads of ginger to India. In a day the FCB auction yard receives more than 10 bolero load of ginger.
Villagers say earlier without a ginger buy-back scheme they hardly get Nu 15 for a kilogram of ginger.
“Before there was no market, we use to sell our ginger for Nu 11 to 15 per kilogram and many villagers decided not to sell ginger but after the government introduced the buy-back scheme and we decided to sell, we are very grateful to get a proper market,” said Sonam Tshewang, a farmer in Samdrup Jongkhar.
Farmers say their worry about not getting a market is now solved with the scheme. Moreover, they say they are earning more compared to the past years. The ginger fetches Nu 20 to 45 a kilogram depending on the quality.
“Prescribe rate for a palm-size ginger is Nu 45, and grade C black soil ginger irrespective of the sizes fetches Nu 20 per kilogram,” said Saw Dev Koirala, the Complex Manager of the FCB in Samdrup Jongkhar.
However, some of the ginger growers say officials of the FCB are favouring those known to them by offering higher rates while fixing the ginger rate.
“I feel officials are giving good rates to those individuals they know personally. I came from Nganglam and if I don’t get a good price it will be a huge loss for me,” said Nima, a farmer from Nganglam.
“I also have some doubt since people who have good relations got good prices. I don’t know much as I bring ginger this year only, like for ginger which would fetch Nu 35 got only Nu 20 and when I inquired official they told me they are doing it accordingly,” said Tshering Chogay, a farmer in Samdrup Jongkhar.
However, officials from the FCB deny the allegation.
“To my knowledge, we have not differentiated anyone, we have been doing as per our SOP, they bring ginger today and compare ginger which was stock here since 18 march, stock ginger which has fetch grade “A” rate now has deteriorated and become grade “C” so they just complain, actually it is not true,” the FCB’s Complex Manager said.
So far the FCB in Samdrup Jongkhar has purchased more than 400 tonnes or 50 truckloads of ginger from the villagers and about 35 truckloads of ginger is exported to India.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
