Vegetable Production and Marketing Awareness

Important activities before vegetable production

• Market studies- Surveys to understand the production potential of vegetables

• Market identification- finding assured markets for vegetable- identifying target consumers

• Understanding types of vegetables for markets-assorted vegetables preferred in the market

• Selection of farmers/farmers groups- accessible and potential for vegetable production

• Group formation by Geog extension and Dzongkhags- mainly to create scale of production (encourage cluster basis of production to reduce transaction costs)

Vegetable production

• Production training to geog extensions and groups on vegetable cultivation

• Trainings farmers groups by Geog extension on production of assorted vegetables

• Supply of inputs (vegetable seeds)- vegetable seeds as per the market demand: Cost sharing basis to create ownership of the programme

• Contribution from the groups for anything supported by government

Important Aspects: Staggered sowing

Awareness on staggered sowing is important as to address:- To avoid market glutProlong the expended

harvesting seasonTo supply continuous

vegetables and obtain premium price

Assurance of vegetables to local traders/vegetable vendors

Producing vegetables as per market demand: Specification/requirements

Types of vegetables Specification

Cabbage • One head should be between 500 – 1200 g

• Keep few outer leaves;

• dry in a shaded and well-ventilated area to vaporize water drops

• Pack tight in jute bags

Cauliflower • One head should be between 500 - 1200 g

• Packaging: dry in a shaded and well-ventilated area to vaporize water drops,

• Cover with its own inner leaves & wrap in paper,

• tight packing in plastic sacks (perforated plastic bag) & stitching of sack once filled

Radish • Colour of radish should be white

• 3-4 pieces should make 1 kg

• Wash after harvesting,

• Dry in a shaded and well-ventilated area to vaporize water & pack in jute bags,

• Keep 3-4” of leaves on it

Carrot • 7-10 should make 1 kg;

• Cracked ones always rejected

• Wash after harvesting,

• Dry in a shaded and well-ventilated area to vaporize water & pack in jute bags,

• Keep 3-4” leaves on it

Peas & Beans • Dry in a shaded and well-ventilated area to vaporize water drops

• Pack in jute bags

Promoting Sprinkler Technology to solve water scarcity• Main constraint in vegetable cultivation is water

shortage• Sprinklers saves up to 50% of

water compared to surface Irrigation method

• Enhance production by 40-70% • Increase income by 45-75%

Sprinkler setMicro Sprinkler Jet (any one of it)

Flexible pipe 12mm use as lateral pipes

Micro Sprinklers- Stake (Stand)

Joiner (Connector) 12 mm

Joiner (Connector) 12 mm

Tee-Joiner 12 mm

Reducer (Reducing Joiner 12mm to 16 mm)

Vegetable marketing• Exploration of both internal and external markets• Training on proper harvesting and packaging to

farmers- (link video)• Experience sharing on packaging from Indian

traders• Support for collection sheds/produce at strategic

locations• Coordination meeting with vegetables traders

both local and Indian traders• Awareness on Farm gate/market price - Cost of

production