Chimi Dema | Drujyegang

Thuenpa Puenzhi Soenam Detsen, a farmer’s group in Drujyegang gewog, Dagana, contributed one tonne each of cabbage and cauliflower to the government.

The vegetables loaded in two Bolero pickup trucks would reach Thimphu today. The vegetables are for the hotels used as quarantine facilities and other quarantine centres.

The chairperson of the 16-member group, Tshering Tashi said the contribution was made to support the government during the difficult time created by the new coronavirus.

There are thousands of people currently in quarantine centres, of which majority of them were students returned from abroad but the vegetables stocks in the market are exhausting quickly, he said.

The vegetables will reach Thimphu today

“Our initiative is to share concerns and responsibility with the government,” Tshering Tashi said.

He said that local farmers could make the most income from vegetables produce at this time. “However, it is not always about making money. We felt it is important to confront the challenges together with the government.”

“We are willing to contribute more should there be a need,” the chairperson said.

Another farmer and the secretary of the group, Thinley Wangchuk said that it was a small gesture of appreciation to the government for all the support they received so far. “Being farmers, this is what we could do to support the government at this time,” he said.

The farmer’s group established in 2016 also supplies vegetables to the Drugyegang Central School. The surplus is supplied to Thimphu and Gelephu.

Farmers in the group grow broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and radish during winter and chilies and beans in summer.

They are expecting to harvest potato in about a month’s time. About seven acres of land has been used for potato cultivation.

“In terms of market, we don’t have a problem”, Tshering Tashi said.