With the markets across the border flooded with local cabbages, farmers of Sephu in Wangdue Phodrang are struggling to get a good price to sell the vegetable to the FCB. They say the price this time around is half of that of last year’s. Farmers normally sell their vegetables to the FCB who then export them to India.
At this time of the year, farmers of Rukubji and Bumilog chiwogs stay busy harvesting the cabbages.
Each household grows cabbage on at least an acre of land. After harvesting them, most of the farmers and vendors take the produce to the Phuentshogling FCB auction yard.
And although the yield has been good this year, they are unhappy with the price. The farmers are getting Nu 300 for every 30 kg sack of cabbages.
“The yield has been bountiful and I was able to get almost one hundred bags. But the price is not so good this time. I am not happy with the price. I am worried that I will not be able to earn even Nu 50,000,” said Tshering Zam, a farmer from Bumilog.
“All border gates are reopened and I think there will be more buyers. So, we thought we will get a good price this year. But the price was better during the pandemic. Earlier, we got at least Nu 400 or 500 and even more but this time, we just got Nu 300,” said Phub Zam, another farmer.
Officials from the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Co-operatives through an email response said that the price went down since India has an abundant supply of local cabbages around this time.
Because of the decline in demand for cabbages over the years, the department says they are also encouraging farmers to grow other crops.
According to the FCB, the price also fluctuates depending on the quality and size.
Passang,
Edited by Tshering Zam
