 Organic farming is fast gaining popularity in the picturesque valley of Bumthang. Organic farming was introduced in 2008 with the formation of a farmers association in Choekhor Geog. The association had only
five
members. Now the number has swelled to 50.
Farmers grow vegetables like spinach, potato, onion, garlic, cabbage and coriander. These vegetables are in high demand among hoteliers, office goers and the business people.
Tshering Lhaden, a farmer in Chhoekhor Geog, said "there is no dearth of buyers. Hoteliers and civil servants rush to buy them soon as we bring them to the market."
 Encouraged by the success, more and more farmers are taking up organic farming. One of the most recent farmers to take up organic farming is Ap Chechey.
"I saw my friends making good money by selling organic produce. Hoteliers who cater to tourists and civil servants prefer organic produce. So I decided to go organic," said Ap Chechey.
The officiating district agriculture officer believes that "in a few years time, Bumthang will be one of the leading dzongkhags in organic farming with more and more farmers taking interest in organic farming."
The local market is only going to grow with the construction of Mangdechu Hydropower Project in Trongsa scheduled to begin by the end of this year.
source-http://www.bbs.com.bt/bbs/?p=4639 |
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