October 31: With increased potato production this year, the space at the auction yard has been pushed beyond limits.

With an area of around 64,700 square feet, the auction yard at Phuentsholing can only cater to about 40 truck loads at a time. But more than 100 trucks come to the auction yard everyday.

Food Corporation of Bhutan (FCB) officials at the auction yard say lack of space is creating inconvenience for the corporation as well as the public. This, the officials say has affected in making timely payment.

On an average the potato auction yard in Phuentsholing auctions around 40 trucks of potatoes a day. But more than hundred trucks come to the auction yard.

Our reporter Tenzin Wangda says on Thursday there were some 150 trucks scrambling for space at the auction yard.

The FCB has approached the concerned authorities for an additional space to carry out the auction. But it is fraught with controversy.

The National Land Commission Secretariat has allotted the space beside the auction yard to the FCB. But the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Phuentsholing city corporation has given the land to STCBL. Our reporter says so far nothing is clear which of the two will be allotted the land.

The complex manager of the auction yard, Sangay Wangdi said the problem could be solved to some extent if people bring potatoes in standard 50 kg packs. This he said would enable officials to carry out auction on the truck itself.

Meanwhile, the price of the potatoes has gone down. Red potatoes fetch around Nu. 12 a kilogram against Nu. 15 last year. White potatoes fetch around Nu. eight a kilogram compared to Nu. 10 last year.