After selling vegetables and farm produce from the gewog parking lot since 2022, farmers in Tsirang Toed Gewog will soon breathe a sigh of relief. The gewog is building a vegetable market along the Tsirang Toed-Damphu Road, which will be completed in a month. The current arrangement at the parking lot has spared farmers from travelling to the Damphu market, located about 23 kilometres away, to sell their produce. However, they say they are exposed to the elements.
Farmers, mostly small-scale vegetable vendors, use the gewog parking lot for the Sunday market.
Their customers are primarily civil servants, gewog officials, and hospital staff.
With the vegetable shed, which can accommodate 30 vendors, nearing completion, farmers can look forward to a comfortable space to sell their produce.
Dawa Dema, a farmer said “Here, we get drenched in rain and the rain sometimes spoils our vegetables too. The new vegetable shed has a proper space with roofing. It will be convenient for us to sell vegetables.”
Tashi Wangdi, another farmer said “It will be convenient for us to sell from the new vegetable shed. However, it is located bit far from our village. We must come early in the morning to sell vegetables on Sundays.”
Tika Maya, who is also a farmer said “The present location has also benefited us a lot. But it is a bit inconvenient during unfavourable weather. The new vegetable shed will benefit us immensely since it is equipped with better facilities.”
The gewog administration is spending Nu 750,000 on the new vegetable shed.
Owing to the favourable climate, farmers in the gewog can grow a variety of vegetables and fruits.
According to farmers, a facility like this will also improve market accessibility for consumers in the gewog.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sherub Dorji