In Pema Gatshel, as mango production has increased over the years, the fruit growers in the district are facing difficulties in marketing their produce. The local leaders of the district raised this in the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu. Farmers in Pema Gatshel began cultivating grafted mango saplings yielding better production around five years ago and did not face any marketing issues in the initial stages of production.
Farmers in the district’s 11 gewogs cultivate grafted mango saplings. Grafted mango saplings the district’s agriculture sector supplied started bearing fruits in the last three years.
There were no difficulties in selling the fruit then. Gradually, more number of households started growing the fruit.
Over the years, the production increased resulting in excess supply leading to marketing issues.
“This year, I haven’t sold any mangoes. The fruit is decaying. As all the households have started producing mangoes now, we are worried that there won’t be a market in the future,” said Sangay Zangmo, a mango grower at Khangma, Yurung Gewog.
“This year, the production is better but we don’t know where to sell it. There are no children in the village now, and we cannot consume all the fruit ourselves. We are concerned if we will be able to make any money to improve our economy. We are worried about where to take the fruit to sell,” said Naku, a mango Grower at Lungkholom, Chhimung Gewog.
“The annual production is increasing, so we are concerned about how we will sell our produce going forward. These saplings supplied by the government are now yielding fruits. We would be grateful if they could facilitate a market for us to sell the harvest,” said Driten Zangmo, a mango Grower at Lanangzor, Chongshing Gewog.
The million-fruit tree plantation project also helped increase production. If the situation remains as it is today, farmers worry that it will become more burdensome for them.
“The mango and avocado plants we initially supplied are now facing market issues. The Bhutan Agro Industries Limited doesn’t agree to buy from us. We have also submitted the estimated mango production to the District Agriculture Officer and the Assistant Economic Development and Marketing Officer. If we can’t sell the produce, we won’t be able to help boost the economy,” said Yeshi Wangdi, Chhimung Gup.
According to the District’s Assistant Economic Development and Marketing Officer, they were informed that the quality of the mango is not up to the mark. Therefore, she added, Bhutan Agro Industries Limited in Lingmethang of Monggar is not interested in buying. Nonetheless, the officer said, they will help farmers both in terms of production and marketing.
“To all the groups present here, if the quality is good, Bhutan Agro Industries Limited promises to take whatever quantity the farmers produce, and even Regional Agriculture and Marketing Cooperative has agreed to sign an agreement to buy the produce,” said Tshering Peldon, Asst. Economic Development and Marketing Officer.
She also mentioned that the local representatives will be identifying a middleman from each village to collect the produce and supply it to the market.
“We have requested assistance from the agriculture officials because our trees have started bearing fruits. We need help in finding a market, and we hope that the officials can assist us,” said Mindu Wangdi.
“We don’t know anything, so we would be grateful if the government could help us find a market and take our produce to the market,” said Sangay Zangmo.
“This is not something we can handle alone. We are hoping the government will assist us in finding a market,” said Drupjur.
The district administration has helped farmers sell their produce to the Bhutan Agro Industries Limited in Lingmithang and the Food Corporation of Bhutan in Samdrup Jongkhar.
The Assistant Economic Development and Marketing Officer said farmers will be trained on fruit value addition at the National Post Harvest Centre’s sub-centre in Shumar Gewog.
Last year, farmers in Pema Gatshel produced over 80 metric tons of mangoes. The farmers believe that if they to help boost the economy, the focus on facilitating the market is as important as it is to improve and increase farm production.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Phub Gyem
