Vendors of Tshimalakha and Gaeddu in Chhukha Dzongkhag prefer selling their crops on the roadside of Thimphu-Phuentshogling highway than in proper vegetable shed.
When asked why? Vendors were quick to answer that “business is much better and thriving along the highway.” Control over pricing is other key advantage of roadside farm marketing, they added. Owing to this monetary reason, the Sunday Vegetable Market at Tshimalakha remains idle.
The dzongkhag administration inaugurated the market in November last year with the objective to encourage farmers to grow cash crops on large scale.
“The market just ran for a week. We didn’t see anyone selling there. People ask us if there are vendors selling vegetables at the market. Vendors here don’t go there to sell,” said one of the residents, Dawchu Drukpa.
Other residents also said after the shed became operational, hardly any vendors came and occupied the space to sell their produce.
The vegetable market at Gaeddu has been facing same fate for years. The market, built a decade ago was quite popular then. However, today people are seen drying their clothes there.
“People do not sell their vegetable here now. They prefer to sell along the highway. When they retire home in evening, they leave behind rotten veggies, making the area dirty,” said Pala Dorji, the Thromde Representative of Gaeddu town.
Meanwhile, local authorities are coming up with some programmes to ensure that the vegetable markets are bustling with commercial activities.
The dzongkhag agriculture sector has formed a youth group from nearby gewogs and they will be operating Tshimalakha vegetable market soon. The initiative is also expected to create employment for the youth.
