Vegetable vendors in Punakha are rejoicing over the upgraded sheds they have been provided with at the Ka Ja Throm in Khuruthang town. Although still situated in the same location, the town’s vegetable market has received an uplift which has raised the hopes of the vendors. The improved facilities are expected to bring in more customers.
The vegetable vendors are now allocated spaces that have display areas, something which was not there before. Along with the comfortable sheds, the market floors have also been cemented which has solved the dust and mud issue.
The sheds also have proper lighting which makes working in the evening and night hours convenient. The improved facilities have delighted the vendors who are hoping all this will lead to improved business.
“Earlier, our vegetable marketplace used to have a few plastic roofing and that resulted in the vegetable getting spoilt fast. Vegetables were also getting damaged by the wind and dust. But today, it is quite convenient for us. There is also a good power supply with power sockets in the shed as well,” said Lhazin, a vendor.
“Many people are coming to the Ka Ja Throm as it is neat and clean now. So, we are expecting to get more customers. With this, we are also expecting to make more income hereafter,” said Pasang Wangmo, another vendor.
The market has permanent spaces for 21 full-time vendors and separate areas allocated for farmers who come to sell their produce during the weekends. The place can accommodate more than a hundred-weekend vendor.
“We will work on growing more vegetables from next year if we get this kind of comfortable place to sell it. The government has done a lot for the benefit of the people by making comfortable sheds with all necessary infrastructures. Now, there is also a clean and beautiful public toilet in the area,” said Phub Rinzin.
“Our local vendors those who cannot afford to go to Thimphu can sell their vegetables here at Ka Ja Throm from hereafter. Our people will no longer have to wander for looking places to sell their agricultural products. This Ka Ja Throm would benefit the vegetable vendors of almost five districts including Punakha,” said Kinley Gyeltshen.
“It is quite amazing to see all the fruits are in an organised manner. Different fruits are found kept separately in their individual boxes. Likewise, vegetables are also found well organised. Earlier, it wasn’t like this. We used to see all the rotten fruits and vegetables kept together in the same place. We used to find more spoiled fruits while we segregate them after reaching back home,” said Tandin Wangchuk, a customer.
While the fees have been increased, a few vegetable vendors and farmers BBS talked to said they did not have any complaints. The monthly charges for the permanent spaces have been doubled to Nu 3,000. Farmers who come on weekends will have to pay daily fees ranging from Nu 10 to 20.
The Punakha Ka Ja Throm also has a recreational area beside the farmers’ market and is spread across three acres. It was constructed within four months by various sectors including the armed force personnel, forest department and DeSuups under the coordination of the district administration. It was opened to the public on 30th April.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
