𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬

…𝑷𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚

By Lhendup Wangmo

Emerging entrepreneurs unveiled their latest products at the Samtse Entrepreneur Program, an event that attracted a wide audience of investors, business leaders, and aspiring innovators. Diverse array of cutting-edge solutions aimed at transforming various industries, from tech and fashion to sustainable agriculture and health were a part of the program.

A group of talented individuals showed their products, many of which feature innovative approaches to everyday problems. The event provided a crucial platform for these entrepreneurs to connect with potential partners and secure much needed funding for their ventures. The program has gained significant recognition in recent years, serving as an incubator for different age groups talent, offering mentorship, networking, and resources to help turn ideas into successful businesses.

This year’s program promises to be one of its most impactful, with its impressive lineup of innovative startups setting the stage for a bright future in the entrepreneurial landscape. Emerging entrepreneurs are now more empowered than ever to take their ideas from concept to reality, and the event was a testament to their drive, creativity, and resilience.
Wangchuk Lepcha, the Gup of Samtse Gewog, recently shared details about a food processing unit being established within the community, backed by a Small Development Project (SDP) and supported by the Agriculture Department.

“The project has been crucial in helping the community produce various products such as chilli paste (Ezay), chilli pickle, mango pickle, lemon pickle, radish pickle, ginger pickle, ginger powder, ginger candy, wheat flour, maize flour, and Cassava flour,” said Wangchuk Lepcha.

Despite the community’s efforts, he said, there are ongoing challenges in the market. “The products are being made, but the market price is not favorable,” Gup said. “This has led to some discouragement among entrepreneurs, as the market prices are not sufficient to sustain their businesses.” He further said that while the government continues to support the community, a key issue is that villagers are not buying the products, which limits local sales and growth.

Wangchuk Lepcha said that the government needs to support both entrepreneurs and consumers. “If the government can provide more assistance, the entrepreneurs will be motivated to continue their work, and the community can earn a profit rather than run into losses,” he said. Currently, there are a total of nine groups involved in the project, working together to produce these goods.

Out of nine groups, one is led by Moti Rai, a villager from Chankthagang, who further explained the issues faced by the local food processing groups. “The project started last year, but we couldn’t begin on time due to a lack of resources. This year, we have managed to open,” said Moti Rai.

His products include flour, cassava, wheat flour, local sweet flour, cassava flour, millet flour, mixed pickle, lemon pickle, and mango pickle.Despite the variety of products produced, Moti Rai said that sales remain limited. “Our products are sold only to local vendors, and the sales are managed by an accountant. We don’t have knowledge of the accounts ourselves. We plan to hold a meeting in December to discuss and address these challenges,” she said.

Jung Singh Rai from Chankthagang, who shared his experiences about the journey to this point. “Before, we could not sell our products, but on the national day, with the help of the concerned Agricultural Officer, we were able to launch our products,” said Jung Singh Rai. “We are grateful for the opportunity provided to us.”

The entrepreneurs were given the chance to attend valuable training sessions, where they learned to make a variety of products, including different types of pickles, ginger tea, and even ginger candy. Jung Singh Rai said the importance of these skills, noting, “We learned a lot, not just about making pickles, but also about using the flour making machines and vegetable washing machines provided to us.”

“We can only sell our products during the National Day, and even though we go door-to-door to local vendors, many are hesitant to buy our products as they are unsure about them,” He further mentioned that the most popular items have been Mealie Rice (Gayza Rey), wheat flour, and millet flour, but the overall sales are still below expectations.
The location of the factory also presents a significant obstacle. “Our village is quite far, and the factory is 20 kilometers away from the main town of Samtse. This distance creates logistical challenges in getting our products to the market,” he said.

Despite these difficulties, Jung Singh Rai and other villagers are grateful for the pickle factory established in Chankthagang Gewog. “We are learning a little, but we need more support to improve our sales and grow our businesses,” expressing hope that with continued guidance and resources, the entrepreneurs can overcome these obstacles and succeed in the future.