A meeting was held to discuss the problem faced by the farmer of Ladakh in supplying their vegetables and other product to army on 11th February at Shenam community hall, Leh.  The meeting was organized by the association of farmer cooperative society of Ladakh.

The representatives of cooperative marketing societies, councilors, Sarpanch, Goba of different villages and other society members took part in the meeting. 

The problem highlighted was the e-tendering and sanction for negotiated contract in supplying their vegetables and other product to the army was discussed.

Rinchen Tundup, Secretary Cooperative marketing society said that the farmers of Ladakh supplied their vegetable to the army since 1960 through 9 cooperative society under negotiated contract which was sanctioned for 3 years by the defense minister.  But later contract period decreased to 1 year and this year they didn’t sanction the contract yet. He also mentioned that if they didn’t get the contract this year the local farmer has to face a big challenge in the near future to sell their remaining stock by loosing this market to ROC (Road Open Contract).

President, All farmer cooperative marketing society, Phuntsog Angchuk said that under Army Procurement portal Ladakh farmer has a special tender sanction called negotiation arrange contract in which all the local farmer’s has to accept the army’s negotiated contract to supply their vegetables only through registered cooperative society to army where farmers got lump sum amount after charging 25% of handling and transport charge.

He also added the steps to the expansion of local supplies to army and problems which need to be discussed and find a solution with the consent of everyone.

Speaking on the potential aspect of the Cooperative Marketing Society, Skarma Eshey said  that the farmers of  Ladakh are largely depended on army whether it is milk, labor and  supplying vegetable  or so many. Over 80% of locals produce goes to the army which is quite enormous but now ROC and e-tendering becoming the biggest obstacle in this regard and decreasing time period of contract is a big issue for us. 

Upper Leh, Councilor-Lobzang Nyantak assures all his support to the farmers and expresses the importance of agriculture in our society. 

Many other sarpanch goba members also discuss the problems and their vision.