𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐞𝐲’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐩 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫

…𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑯𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒔

By Kezang Choden

The recently inaugurated Potato Trade Facilitation Center in Jangchey, Gangtey Gewog, has revolutionized potato farming for local farmers, significantly enhancing their income and reducing the logistical burdens previously associated with potato sales. Since its opening on July 23, 2024, the center has quickly become a pivotal platform for farmers in the region, facilitating direct access to lucrative markets and cutting transportation costs.

According to the Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited (FCBL), demand for potatoes has surged this year, particularly for the smaller-sized potatoes that are highly sought after in India as seed potatoes. This increase in demand, coupled with the convenience of the nearby facilitation center, has prompted farmers to expedite their harvests and bring their produce to auction more efficiently. The FCBL has been offering competitive prices, with medium-sized potatoes selling at Nu 37 per kilogram, small potatoes at Nu 35 per kilogram, and large varieties fetching up to Nu 40 per kilogram.

These favourable rates, expected to persist until the end of October, have given local farmers a substantial opportunity to capitalize on the booming market. The Potato Facilitation Center has thus emerged as a key driver of economic growth for the region, providing a steady income stream for potato farmers who rely heavily on the crop for their livelihoods.

Initially, the FCBL encountered difficulties in encouraging farmers to utilize the Potato Facilitation Center. Many farmers were unaware of the services it provided, leading to low turnout in its early days. However, through concerted efforts to raise awareness and the realization of the benefits offered by the center, more and more farmers have begun to bring their produce for auction.

“We faced some challenges at first in getting the farmers to use the center,” said an FCBL representative. “But now, with support from local administrative bodies and a system in place to track production, farmers have started to see the value of the center. They are coming in greater numbers, and their cooperation has been excellent.”

Prior to the establishment of the facilitation center, farmers in Gangtey had to travel long distances, often to Phuentsholing, to auction their potatoes. This entailed significant transportation costs and time away from home. With the new facility closer to the farming community, farmers can now complete their transactions locally, saving both time and money.

“So far, the Gangtey Potato Facilitation Center has successfully auctioned 900 metric tons of potatoes,” the FCBL representative added. “This is a significant achievement for both the farmers and FCBL. The center has not only provided financial relief to local farmers but has also streamlined the auction process, contributing to the economic well-being of the entire community.”

For many farmers in Gangtey, the center has been a game-changer. Kinley Gyeltshen, the Gup of Gangtey Gewog, expressed his optimism about the positive changes it has brought to the village. “Potato farming is the primary source of income for most households here,” said Gup Kinley. “Previously, farmers had to bear the burden of transporting their potato produce over long distances, which incurred high costs. Now, with the facilitation center located within the village, the entire process has become much more convenient.”

Gup Kinley highlighted how the center has not only saved farmers from excessive transportation expenses but has also streamlined the entire process, allowing them to sell their produce in just one day. “Farmers can complete their transactions in a single day and return home without the added strain of travel, which would have previously taken several days,” he said. “There is also a noticeable increase in enthusiasm among farmers. With the time and cost savings, many are motivated to grow larger quantities of potatoes.”

While the Potato Facilitation Center has brought numerous benefits to the community, Gup Kinley also pointed out a pressing issue: the poor condition of the 2-kilometer farm road leading to the center. “The road is in poor condition, and this has become a major concern for the people,” he explained. “On one hand, we are benefiting from the facilitation center, but on the other hand, the road’s state is making transportation difficult.”

To address the issue, the Gewog Administration has submitted a request to the Dzongkhag Tshogdu (district council) for the blacktopping of the road. Gup Kinley remains hopeful that necessary improvements will be made soon, ensuring better accessibility for farmers and continued success for the Potato Facilitation Center. “This road is vital for the community’s farmers to fully benefit from the center,” he said. “Once it’s improved, the center will undoubtedly help even more farmers.”

Local farmers have been quick to praise the benefits of the Potato Facilitation Center. Thinley, a farmer from Gangtey Gewog, is one of many whose farming operations have been transformed by the center. “Before the center was established, we had to handle every aspect of the process—harvesting, transporting, and marketing,” Thinley said. “It was time-consuming and costly. Now, the center has made everything much easier, and we save a lot of money on transportation.”

Thinley, who cultivates potatoes on nearly seven acres of land, relies heavily on the income generated from potato sales to support his family. With the success of the facilitation center, he now plans to expand his farm to increase potato production. “The center has made the whole process much more efficient,” he explained. “Next year, I plan to increase my potato output. I’m confident I can earn more now that everything is streamlined.”

Thinley’s sentiments are echoed by many farmers in the community. What once took them almost a week to complete with high costs for labour and transportation, can now be done in a single day, thanks to the center’s assistance. The entire community is now more productive, and many are looking to the future with optimism.

“The Potato Facilitation Center has made life easier for us,” said another farmer. “We are saving time, money, and effort. This has given us a chance to focus on increasing our production and improving our income.”

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

The Potato Trade Facilitation Center in Gangtey has already proven to be an essential resource for the local farming community. By providing direct access to markets, ensuring competitive pricing, and reducing transportation costs, the center is boosting the income of farmers and supporting the livelihoods of many households in the region. As Gangtey Gewog looks forward to next year’s harvest season, there is hope that further improvements, such as better road infrastructure, will enable even more farmers to reap the benefits of this transformational development.

In the words of Gup Kinley, “The Potato Facilitation Center has been a great success, but we are only at the beginning. With continued support and infrastructure improvements, the future looks bright for our farming community.”