𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐙𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚

…𝒏𝒆𝒘 180 𝑴𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄-𝑻𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒐𝒓 𝑮𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕-𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔, 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒁𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒂

By Kezang Choden

Farmers in Zhemgang and Trongsa Dzongkhags are now looking forward to a brighter future for their agricultural and livestock produce, thanks to the newly opened cold storage facility in Nangkor Gewog under Zhemgang Dzongkhag. This facility, with a storage capacity of 180 metric tons, is the first of its kind in the district, addressing long-standing challenges related to post-harvest management.

The cold storage facility, constructed over nearly two years, aims to tackle critical issues faced by local farmers, such as limited market access and the lack of reliable storage for perishable goods. With temperature-controlled compartments, the facility will help reduce post-harvest losses and allow farmers to preserve the quality of their produce for longer periods. This is expected to significantly minimize food waste and provide farmers with a chance to store their crops and livestock products until they can secure better market prices.

For years, farmers have struggled with the lack of storage facilities, often having to sell their produce at low prices to avoid spoilage. This led to economic losses and food wastage. The new cold storage is expected to help reduce these challenges, offering enhanced market opportunities and better incomes for farmers in the region.

Dorji Tashi, CEO of the Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited (FCBL), emphasized how the facility would strengthen the agricultural economy. “This facility is a vital link between harvested goods and processing units, enabling farmers to add greater value to their produce and improve their livelihoods,” Tashi stated. He added that the facility would significantly reduce food wastage, providing farmers with a stable marketplace for their goods.

“This cold storage facility is a game-changer for our local farmers,” he continued. “It ensures that their hard-earned produce reaches consumers and processing units, benefiting both the farmers and the local economy.” The initiative is also aligned with Bhutan’s efforts to reduce dependency on imported food products.

The facility is not just about storage; it also addresses the logistical challenges farmers face, particularly during the rainy season when roads become blocked and produce can spoil. Tashi Phuntsho, Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer, highlighted how the facility would minimize these losses. “The cold storage will allow farmers to store their produce at minimal charges, ensuring it stays fresh and extends its shelf life,” Phuntsho explained.

The cold storage unit includes six compartments, two dedicated to meat products and four for fruits and vegetables. This thoughtful design ensures that various types of perishable goods can be stored without compromising quality. Phuntsho also noted the facility’s critical role in reducing waste and offering farmers the flexibility to sell their produce when prices are more favorable.

Wangdi, a resident of Shobling Chiwog under Nangkor Gewog, expressed his optimism about the facility. “Before, we had to sell our produce quickly to avoid spoilage, which often meant low prices. Now, we can store our crops nearby and wait for better market opportunities,” Wangdi said. Farmers in the region had long faced challenges due to high transportation costs and limited storage options. The cold storage is set to alleviate these problems by extending the shelf life of perishable goods.

“This facility is helping us focus on producing better quality crops without the fear of spoilage,” Wangdi added, noting that farmers now feel more confident to increase their production.

Rinzin Wangchuk, the Gup of Langthil Gewog, shared that nearly 40 percent of farmers in the gewog are expected to benefit from the cold storage facility. “Farmers have long struggled with spoilage, which led to losses and decreased interest in farming,” Wangchuk said. “With this new facility, they will be able to preserve their produce for longer and sell it at better prices, leading to increased income and renewed interest in farming.”

Wangchuk expressed his confidence that the cold storage would help revitalize farming in the region by providing farmers with the tools to succeed. “This facility will reduce waste and encourage farmers to adopt better agricultural practices,” he said.

The cold storage facility is part of Bhutan’s broader effort to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce dependency on imported goods. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), the facility was constructed with a budget of approximately Nu 47 million.

By providing a reliable storage solution, the cold storage will not only improve food security but also support local farmers in enhancing their agricultural practices. It is a critical step toward strengthening Bhutan’s agricultural sector, improving rural livelihoods, and ensuring that farmers have the tools they need to succeed in the face of growing challenges.

As farmers in Zhemgang and Trongsa Dzongkhags look forward to the future, the cold storage facility marks a transformative initiative that promises to empower local farmers and strengthen Bhutan’s agricultural value chain.