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 glut  Prolong the expended harvesting season  To 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 vegetablesSpecification 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 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 set Micro Sprinkler Jet ( any one of it) Flexible pipe 12mm use as lateral pipes Micro Sprinklers- Stake (Stand) 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