Local leaders of Sarpang say it would be convenient if the local produce such as chili, beans, and cauliflower are certified as organic by the chiwog tshogpas.
As per the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), the branding of vegetables which is mandatory across the country, should be done in respective gewog offices before it hits the local markets.
At the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu sitting, local leaders said farmers have to visit the gewog administrative office frequently to obtain the letter of approval.
“Some chiwogs in my gewog are located far from the gewog office. So this raises the question that whether farmers are to sell vegetables or waste time coming to the office for the approval,” said Ugyen Tshering, the Mangmi of Serzhong Gewog. “The process consumes time. Therefore, it would be convenient if BAFRA could accept such certifications issued by chiwog tshogpas.”
Some community leaders suggested to create awareness among the farmers before implementing the rule. “Last time two farmers from my gewog had brought their farm produce at the Sunday Market, but since they did not have the approval letter, they were levied a fine of Nu 1300,” said Mangmi of Chhuzangang Gewog, Lekey Wangchuk, adding that they were unaware of the rule.
Gakiling Gup Nim Dorji said, after the rule was implemented, farmers have been anticipating to sell the crops along the highway ans not to sell at Sunday Market. If the trend continues, the gup said, the vegetable market will be left without local crops.
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