With no proper vegetable shed, farmers of Saling Gewog in Monggar saw a drastic decrease in the sale of their farm produce. Their temporary vegetable shed was demolished in October last year. And since then, they have been back on the roadside. The issue was discussed during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
Prior to demolishing the temporary vegetable sheds, there were about 15 farmers selling farm produce. But the number decreased by over 50 per cent.
“The previous temporary sheds were located near our houses, the sale was good. But when it got demolished, the sale dropped. Before we used to earn at least Nu 1500 every day but these days we don’t see any customers,” said Jigme Lhaden, a farmer from the gewog.
“Without a proper shed, we have to sell our products by staying in the sun, which damages our products like orange and beaten maize,” added kezang Wangdi.
“Before we used to earn about Nu 6000 every day but now the sale is not good. These days, we hardly get about Nu 200 a day,” said Pema Choden.
The local leaders of Monggar during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu agreed to submit the resolution copy to the parliament on the need for permanent market sheds in Saling and other gewogs for review.
“I have seen farmers in the western and central regions selling farm produce by staying inside the temporary sheds constructed along the highway. And they are currently seen doing the same practice. Farmers out here claim that although the country has a uniform law, farmers in the western and central regions are still allowed to sell vegetables by staying inside the temporary sheds while farmers from the eastern regions were not allowed to sell farm produces along the highway,” said Choni Dorji, Saling Gup.
Regional Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives in Monggar has already allocated about Nu 900,000 to construct a market shed at Menchhugang in Saling. The work order will soon be issued.
“If the government can construct a vegetable shed like the ones located at Gangola, it would help the farmers of many gewogs and in particular the farmers of Ngatshang, Monggar and Saling Gewogs,” said Tandin Wangchuk, Narang Gup.
Monggar’s National Assembly member of parliament, Rinzin Jamtsho, who attended the Dzongkhag Tshogdu as an observer agreed to put up the issue to the upcoming parliament session on the need for a uniform law to allow the construction of temporary market sheds in the country.
Sonam Tshering, Monggar
