The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Ever since the agriculture ministry established two mega poultry farms with 80,000 birds, the smaller privately run poultry unit in Sarpang has been struggling to find a market for their produce.
According to the Chairman of Sarpang Layers Cooperatives (SLC), Nima Lama, poultry owners are struggling with various problems. The decline in the price of eggs and rising cost of poultry feed poultry farming, once a profitable business, is now seen as a loss-making venture.
The chairman also said that with the establishment of government supported mega farms SLC also suffered from lack of marketing agent and an outlet to sell their products.
The chairman shared that some farmers are unable to repay their loan and seeking additional loan while some chose to sell their birds and land to repay their loans.
The chairman has expressed the problems to the agriculture minister during his recent visit to Gelephu and farmers were assured that they would get reasonable farm gate price.
“The farmers are hopeful that the situation will improve and the relevant agencies would come to their rescue,” Nima Lama said.
According to agriculture minister Yeshey Dorji the ministry is looking into various means to help resolve the problem so that the farmers are not running a loss making poultry business. Lyonpo said that the things will be soon improved and streamlined by involving concern authorities.
Sarpang Layer Cooperative was established in 2012 with 36 members in its initial period and full swing operation began in 2015.
Today the cooperative has more than 84 members from Gakidling, Shompangkha, Dekeling, Samtenling and Gelephu geowgs.
