Much to the relief of both the residents and the vegetable vendors in Samdrup Jongkhar fresh vegetables grown within the country have started arriving. The green vegetables are brought from places in Pemagatshel and Wamrong.
The vegetables include spring onions, green peas, spinach and broccoli among others. The vendors said they are happy to get fresh vegetables from the Bhutanese farmers when import of vegetables is getting difficult with the rupee situation.
However, lack of storage facility and exorbitant prices is not very much good news.
“We are not able to recover the cost that we pay to the farmers, the vegetable gets spoilt very fast and customers complain that the prices are high,” says Yeshi Lhadon, a vendor.
The vendors who used to get their stock from India said if they have to depend only on the local produce it will hamper their livelihood. The reasons, supply from Bhutanese farmers, is seasonal and erratic.
“We used to sell a mix of Indian and Bhutanese vegetables and now if we have to sell only Bhutanese vegetables I foresee some problems. We don’t bring huge quantities from outside but just 10 to 20 kilograms,” says Zangmo, another vendor
But for some, it is otherwise. At least for now the residents are happy that they get to eat organic Bhutanese vegetables. “I like Bhutanese vegetables and they also taste good,” says Pema Zangmo, a local resident, adding that she doesn’t mind paying high price.
There are about 17 Bhutanese vegetable vendors in Samdrup Jongkhar.
