March 31: The vegetable marketing shed in Rangjung town in Trashigang remain unused as vendors rush to Trashigang to sell their farm produce.

These vegetable marketing sheds in Ranjung town was constructed in 2004. The four sheds can accommodate about 100 vegetable vendors. But today they remain unused.

The Town Tshogpa Tshering Dorji said the sheds were built after many farmers were seen selling vegetables and other farm produce. But after the sheds were constructed, the farmers stopped coming. He said farmers now prefer to take their agricultural produce to Trashigang town.

In the not so distant past, people from the eight nearby gewogs came to Rangjung to sell their farm produce and buy household goods with the cash they earned.

Residents say the situation changed after most of the gewogs were connected with farm roads which made it easier for farmers to take their farm produce to Trashigang town. Farmers can not only get better price in Trashigang, they can also buy a variety of goods at cheaper rates in Trashigang town.

Today Chador Wangdi Tshongkhang is the only shop in Rangjung town which sells vegetables. Chador Wangdi said though he is the only shop which sells vegetable, the profit is minimal. He gets his supply from Falakata in India.

Rangjung residents including civil servants, school teachers and business people said the choice of vegetables is limited. It is better during the summer since small quantities of locally grown produce are available.

Rangjung has a school, a vocational institute, a Shedra and a power plant. The town has 24 grocery shops and 6 restaurants.