Thinley Namgay

Thimphu dzongkhag agriculture officials will assess the performance of the agriculture marketing agent in Hongtsho after residents of Chang gewog raised their dissatisfaction with the agent at recent dzongkhag tshogdu.

The private agriculture marketing agent was started in Hongstho in 2005 with the renewal of one year contract by the dzongkhag.

Thimphu Dzongkhag’s Assistant Agriculture Officer, Wangdila, said that the tshogdu decided to send agriculture officials from the dzongkhag to investigate the issue.

“We have received a complaint from the gewog office stating that the agent does not fulfil his mandate. Officials will check his services and meet with the residents,” said Wangdila.

According to Wangdila, the agent’s primary responsibility is to buy seeds and fertiliser from the National Seed Centre in Paro and distribute them to the residents of Chang. “Dzongkhag used to give him a commission of 10 percent depending on the sales.”

Chang Gup Ugyen said that the agent was essential for the community as many depend on agriculture.

He said that Chang gewog was a fertile place to grow vegetables for which the timely supply of seeds and fertiliser is critical. “I am glad that the team from dzongkhag agriculture sector will visit the site soon.”

Hongtsho resident Minjur Wangmo said that unlike in the past, market opportunities for the villagers are improving with road connectivity. But authorities concerned should encourage people by providing basic needs such as seed and fertiliser on time.

“Some people in Hongtsho have been growing vegetables on acres of land as they have a ready market in Thimphu thromde” she said.

Another resident, Jamyang Lhamo from Yusipang said that the village was going to use their mini processing factory constructed with the help of dzongkhag this year.

She said that the mini-factory would collect the vegetables from residents who could not sell in the market. “We’ll do the value addition in our factory.”

Edited by Tshering Palden