RASUWA: Cabbage farmers in Gatlang have grown increasingly concerned after the floods in Rasuwa washed away parts of the road network, threatening to disrupt the transportation and sale of their produce.
Around 500 households in Gatlang of Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality-3, who rely on commercial vegetable farming, are worried they may not be able to sell their cabbage once it is ready due to the lack of road access, said veteran farmer Mar Lama.
According to Lama, around 1,650 truckloads of cabbage were sold from Gatlang, known as a model settlement, last year. This year, production is estimated to reach around 2,100 tonnes.
Lama said vegetable farming is the main source of income for the Tamang settlement, which is renowned for cabbage production.
“The crop will be ready within the next 15 to 20 days. We are worried that the road may not be restored by then. If we cannot sell the cabbage, it will be difficult to make ends meet. The government should pay attention to rebuilding the road,” he said.
Rural municipality Vice-Chairperson Chandika Tamang said cabbage farming in Gatlang, one of the fertile areas of Rasuwa, has been particularly promising this year despite the hardships caused by natural disasters.
She expressed concern that farmers could face hunger if they are unable to transport their crops to market on time due to the lack of road access.
Tamang said cabbage sales are not only a source of food security but also support the entire local economy, including the purchase of salt, cooking oil and spices, as well as education, healthcare and repayment of bank loans.
“If the cabbage produced in Gatlang cannot be sold, the community could face another crisis alongside the flood,” she said.
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