VEGETABLE DRIER

A three days training on how to make vegetable drier was provided to the farmers of Kikhorthang Gewog by National Post Harvesting Unit (NPHU) based in Dagana.

Now, a total of 15 vegetable driers were constructed in the gewog on cost sharing basis between the public and NPHU. Training and almost all the materials were provided from NPHU except the local materials like sand, wood, stone and labor contribution made from public .The total cost of each machine is approximately Nu. 25,000(twenty five thousand) excluding labor and local materials.

National Post Harvesting unit based in Dagana has constructed 64 driers and 27 stores in five dzongkhag  ( Dagana, Gasa, Wangdue,Tsirang and Punakha) in the fiscal year 2014-2015.

The vegetable drier I have shown above is incomplete; the complete machine will have a tray in between where we can put and dry vegetables and other items like meat etc.

The temperature need to be set at 50 degree Celsius for meat and 45 degree Celsius for vegetables. We require only 6 t 7 hours to dry vegetables and 18 hours for meat.

The advantages of having vegetable driers are that farmers will have hygienic dry vegetables and other food including meat. They require less time to dry their vegetables and even during the summer season they can dry their vegetables and other items as and when required. 

Reported by Damcho, Kikorthang Gewog, Tsirang

Chips processing training for the farmers of Kikhortang Gewog, Tsirang Dzongkhag

Introduction

The chips processing training was given to the public of four chiwogs in Kikhorthang gewog, Tsirang Dzongkhag by the National Post Harvesting Unit (NPHU) based in Dagana under Ministry of Agriculture on date 7^th August 2015 in Tashiyangong Chiwog.

The training was provided to the public mainly to form a group, whereby they can improve their living standard by marketing their product.

The machine was imported from Thailand and the cost of each machine was approximately Nu. 19000.  A total of 6 machines were provided to 6 groups in Kikhorthang gewog. The machine  supplied to the public by Integrated Food Processing Plant (IFPP) on 50% cost sharing basis.

 fig 1

 

fig 2

In the fig 1 and 1.1 the resource people are giving both theoretical and practical training about how to make potato and banana chips using machines with full demonstration. The public were taught all the steps involved in preparing chips systematically.

To have a quality chips, we need slicer to peel potatoes into good shape, Deep fat frying machine, which can be cleaned only by using a clean piece of cloth, sealer and weighing machine mainly to capture a market.

Step 1

Firstly, we have to peel off potatoes and then wash the peeled potatoes with clean cold water.  After washing cut the potatoes into slice by using the slicer machine, once again we have to wash the sliced potatoes and let it dry for few seconds for less oil consumption and to control the smoke.

To have a good quality chips, it is always good to used red potatoes of old stock instead of white, fresh and those potatoes which are kept inside refrigerator.

Step 2

Put oil of around 5 liters’ and heat the oil until the red signal turns to green as shown in the deep fat frying machine above. The heating temperature of deep fat frying machine should be set at 180 degree Celsius or below.

Step 3

When we get green light in deep fat frying machine put the sliced potatoes inside the machine and keep on steering   until the smoke and bubbles stops or color of potato changes.

Step 4

Once the potato changed its colors put a plain paper inside a pot and store the chips in that pot.  We can add salt and other ingredients only at this time. After adding ingredients put the chips inside plastic and do a proper leveling, this will be ready for marketing.  

Reported by Damcho, Kikorthang Gewog, Tsirang

Deserving Farmers

Deserving Farmers

Today the Gup, Gewog Administration of Rangthangling gave away the green house plastics for the selected deserving farmers of four chewogs and a total of six green plastics were given of which two numbers were given to Daragaon Farmers Group, one each to Passing Khandu of Samal Gaon village, Phurpa Sherpa of upper Neymedsa, Gopi lal of Gagagaon village and Goma Wati of Dhajay village.  It was also decided in a weekly meeting held on 9^th September with the Gewog staffs and the GT (Gewog Tshogdu) members having agreed and approved by all to provide the green house plastics for the Construction of Green houses for these deserving farmers.

For some were always found selling their local produce, crops at Damphu Sunday Market and some were found working hard to bring more produce and the Farmers Group at Daragaon was to encourage them to work as a team to increase the produce.

The Gewog had allocated this budget of Nu.70,000 for the first quarterly budget as per the Quarterly budget utilization plan of the Gewog as ‘Construction of Green houses’ in Agriculture Sector.

“I am very happy having received from the Gewog for it’s a first time and I had been rewarded for my hard work” says Phurba Sherpa.

They were reminded to use it within three months after being provided by the Gewog for which it shall be taken back if found not being used.

Compiled by Lobzang Choda