A group of 7 members in Tongphugang village under Tsenkhar Gewog, who have collectively come together for commercial tomato cultivation, has begun the cultivation of the tomato in the recently installed fabricated greenhouses (5*40 m) which was supported by CARLEP-IFAD on cost-sharing modality where CARLEP supported 60% of the cost and 40% by the beneficiary. The ARDC Wengkhar provided the technical assistance for the installation of the greenhouse and drip irrigation system.

With safety protocol in place during the pandemic, the gewog extension officer and the group have been working tirelessly to ensure the continuity of tomato production in the region.

The group is expecting their first harvest between the end of October and mid-November. In a few weeks, the group will begin winter chili nursery and the chili seedlings will also be cultivated inside the greenhouse.

Since this is the first time that the group has initiated commercial farming, the group is hopeful of a good return from the sale of their organic tomato.

Updates from Singye Dorji, ES, Tshaenkhar gewog, Lhuentse