NEWS & EVENTS

In a record-breaking year for Bhutanese potato farmers, the Food Corporation of Bhutan's auction yard in Phuentshogling has registered its highest-ever potato selling price. Farmers are fetching nearly Nu 60 per kilogramme, a significant increase that has doubled their earnings compared to last year. 59-year-old Dorji from Jabana in Paro arrived at Phuentshogling auction yard a few days ago with a truckload of potato. He has been into potato cultivation for decades. He was surprised when his potato rate nearly reached Nu 60 per kilogramme during the auction. Overjoyed, he said he earned almost triple of what he earned from the same amount of potato last year. Last year, he could earn only about Nu 200,000, barely enough to meet the expenses incurred. "We could get really good prices this year. I feel the price depends on the product. It is important to do the sorting properly. FCB has also helped us in selling at good prices." Other farmers also shared that they could earn substantial returns, making all the hard work worthwhile. Potatoes are usually sold for Nu 20 to 30 per kilogramme at the auction yard. Wangchuk, a farmer from Jabana said "I have been into farming since I was 18-year-old. This is the highest potato price we could ever fetch. Of course, the quality of our potatoes and proper grading determines the price but I did not expect to get this high." Farmers said it encourages them to work harder when they get good prices. Generally, potato prices in the country this year saw a significant surge. Tshering Dorji, Regional Director of FCBL in Phuentshogling said "One key factor for higher prices is timing. Bringing potatoes to the market on time and exporting them at the right moment is crucial for securing a good price. Many Indian buyers have come here specifically for potato seeds, and poor potato production in India has also contributed to the favourable prices for Bhutanese potatoes." With timely export being a major factor affecting prices, FCBL officials have been reminding farmers to bring their potatoes for auction when prices are favourable. The auction period for potatoes runs from May to December.