Dzongkhag organize crop exhibition to promote local produce

Agriculture: Trashigang dzongkhag took advantage of the gathering at the National Day celebrations to encourage farmers to grow more vegetables.

As part of the celebrations, the dzongkhag agriculture office organized a crop exhibition where farmers of six northern gewogs participated in a competition in Bidung.

Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer, DC Bhandari said the exhibition was held to encourage farmers to grow more vegetables and impart farming knowledge.

“Since the celebration would mean more people attending, it was the best platform to reach out to more people,” he said. “Such events would not only boost the production, it would also improve the quality of produce.”

Deputy Chief Research Officer from RNRDC, Wengkhar, Kinley Tshering said such exhibitions, which were earlier coordinated by the office have been now handed over to the dzongkhags. Trashigang happens to be the first dzongkhag.

“The exhibition not only motivates farmers, it also makes the consumers aware of the different varieties of vegetables and fruits grown locally,” he said. “It is also one of the easiest means to assess ourselves and see how effectively farmers are using new technologies.”

Vegetables and fruits from the best entries were displayed during the exhibition. Top three entries took home farming tools as prize.

New species of cereal crop like quinoa was also displayed to advocate people on its high nutritional value and how it could become a staple diet.

Research Officer Pradeep Rai said that many varieties of plants like Star Amuse that can act as antivirus to bird flu, grew in the wild but its potential was never harnessed.

“Through this exhibition, we hope to educate people that plants like Star Amuse exist in our forests in superior quality,” he said. “Farmers should be aware of such plants and start cultivating it in future.”

During the exhibition, the livestock department also advocated farmers on animal health and production. The works and human settlement minister, Dorji Choden opened the exhibition.

Tshering Wangdi, Trashigang

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