As the Rangtse Nye renovation project nears completion, the workers who are mostly youth have shifted their focus to growing vegetables. Known as the Rangtse Nye Cooperative, a group of nine young individuals in Sangbaykha Dungkhag in Haa sees the venture as a promising source of income. They believe that selling vegetables will bring in good profits given the increasing number of visitors to the Nye and the growing local population.
These young individuals, mostly in their 20s and having left school, are busy taking care of the vegetables they planted a few months ago. It has been three months since they started the cooperative. The cooperative was formed during the development of the Rangtse Nye site.
They have a three-year agreement to use the private land. The Organisation for Youth Empowerment, a CSO, along with the Dungkhag Agriculture Section has funded three greenhouses for vegetable cultivation.
Currently, the greenhouses are home to a variety of crops including onions tomatoes, carrots and chilli plants.
“Before, we had to work in cardamom fields and rely on daily wages for survival. Now with the project coming to an end, we can fully focus on growing vegetables and earning a living from it,” said Kinley Namgay, a member of Rangtse Nye Cooperative.
“When we were younger, we were in school and didn’t know much about farming. Joining the group has allowed me to learn all aspects of farming from others,”said Jamyang Sangay, another member.
“We used to buy vegetables from Samtse for consumption and didn’t grow ourselves. Now, with the greenhouse and the group’s determination to earn income, we are not worried about customers because the population in the area has increased due to the project. Our focus now is mostly on growing green vegetables,” said Yeshi Zam, also a member.
The changes at Rangtse Nye have not only revived the area but also empowered young people to venture into farming to boost their income.
Rangtse Nye is believed to be a secret abode of Guru Rinpoche and Khando Yeshey Tshogyel. It is around three hours’ drive from Haa.
Namgay Wangchuk, Haa
Edited by Sonam Pem
