Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme
Stories of Change Compilation of Case Stories and Articles
Issue II (2018-19) Editors Dorji Wangchuck Lhab Dorji Karma Wangmo Lodey Phuntsho Sonam Gyeltshen Ugyen Wangdi Sangay Jamtsho Sangay Choeda Sangay Choda
Compiled By Karma Wangmo
Design and Layout Sangay Choda
Photographs contributed by Respective Author, except for: - Sangay Choda Cover Page,7,12, 25, 31, 33, 43, 45, 48, 51, 55 - Sangay Jamtsho 3, 5, 13, 50, 52, 53, 54 - Ugyen Wangdi 39, 40, 41 - Sonam Rinchen 24
Any article may be reproduced with prior permission from Office of the Programme Management. Copyright reserved @CARLEP2018 Table of Content
Vegetable Intensification Protected Agriculture practice in Khaling 3 Enhancing Mushroom cultivation 6 Onion – A source of cash income for women 10 Vegetable Production intensified through Commercial sites 12
Dairy Development Lhamo Norgin Phendhen Deytshen 14 Oat production as winter fodder in Bikhar 16 CAIT-CAHW successful in Themnangbi and Jaibab 19 Napier and Gautemala plantation on Marginal Land 25 Commercial dairy farming in Bikhar 27 Dungmanma Jersey Sochong Detsen in Serthig 31
Market Linkage Producer-Trader Linkage at Ballam 34 Market Linkage through School Linking Program 37
Climate Change Adaptation Impact of pipeline irrigation for vegetable production 40 New Resilient Vegetable Varieties for Commercialization 42
Youth and Women Land Use Certificate engages youth in farming 43 Transforming life- a story of youth dairy group at Jamkhar 45 Women Leadership in Vegetable farming 48 Transforming dreams into reality: Yangdhen Horticulture Farm 50
Lead Farmer Lead farmer leads other farmers 54
Institutional Support Impact of Farmers’ training 56 Stories of Change CARLEP
Programme Profile
Programme Title: Commercial Agriculture & Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP) Location: Six eastern Dzongkhags (Lhuentse, Mongar, Pema Gatshel, Samdrup Jongkhar, Trashigang and Trashi Yangtse) and will be scaled up in Chukha, Sarpang, Tsirang and Zhemgang Dzongkhags for vegetable value chain in the second phase of the programme (see Maps alongside).
Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Agriculture & Forests (as the lead implementing agency) in collaboration with FCBL, ARDC Wengkhar, RLDC Kanglung, RAMCO Mongar and Programme Dzongkhag Administrations.
Goals & Objectives: The overall programme goal is to sustainably increase smallholder farmers’ incomes and reduce rural poverty through climate resilient commercialized production of crops and livestock by programme households linked to nationally organized value chains and marketing systems. The specific objective is to increase returns to smallholder farmers through climate resilient production of crops and livestock in nationally organized value chains and marketing systems. Outputs: 1. Increased production resilience, diversification and innovation 2. Vegetable production intensified and expanded 3. Dairy production intensified and expanded 4. Resilient vegetable and dairy value chains developed 5. Agricultural commercialization and enterprise development strengthened 6. Community driven strategic market infrastructure developed 7. Strengthened value chain and marketing knowledge and communication 8. Climate change resilience and value chain lessons mainstreamed in agricultural policies and sector strategies Components: Component 1: Market-led Sustainable Agricultural Production Component 2: Value Chain Development and Marketing Component 3: Institutional Support and Policy Development Component 4: Programme Management, Coordination and Monitoring & Evaluation
1 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Programme Profile
Programme Area The programme will target selected Gewogs in six eastern Dzongkhags (Lhuentse, Mongar, Pemagatshel, Samdrup Jongkhar, Trashiyangtse and Trashigang) with high production and marketing potential in the selected value chains. The programme will benefit 28000 smallholder HHs of which 5000 HH will directly benefit from vegetable and dairy value chains. In its second phase (post 2018 and depending upon the performance during in MTR and RGoB’s priority), the programme will be scaled-up in Gewogs with high production and marketing potential for the vegetable value chain in the south-central and south- western Dzongkhags (Chhukha, Tsirang, Sarpang and Zhemgang), adding 7500 direct beneficiaries (1500 HH).
www.carlep.gov.bt 2 Stories of Change CARLEP
Protected Agriculture practices demonstrated in Khaling Pema Wangchuk, EA Khaling
Farmers’ Feild Day conducted to demostrate Protected Agriculture Introduction Therefore, the gewog agriculture extension For the year-round production and supply office initiated the installation of two of the vegetables in the country, the numbers of protected vegetable cultivation Department of Agriculture (DoA) is in focus structure in mid 2017 with 27 farmers (6 for various strategies including staggered male, 21 female) from Bayphu Pam and and protected vegetable cultivation. 12 members (2 male, 10 female) from Jeri, Aligning towards this goal, two farmers’ Lemi and Thrizor villages. Two numbers of groups in Khaling gewog of Trashigang greenhouse measuring 10*6 meters was Dzongkhag started protected vegetable used for growing cole crops, tomatoes and cultivation practice in early 2017 with chilli seedlings as reflected in Table 1. the support of CARLEP support to the Tomatoes is one vegetables harvested by Dzongkhag. the farmers of Khaling gewog for the first Venturing into protected vegetable time in protected vegetable cultivation. In cultivation the past, tomatoes were often destroyed by the heavy rain in summer and frost in Located at the altitude ranging from 16000- winter, thus had to be imported. 2200masl, Bayphu Pam and Thrizor villages of Khaling gewog experiences Protected cultivation brings double the prolong winter seasons and receives yield from open space cultivation relatively higher rainfall during summer. Farmers find it difficult to grow tomatoes This erratic weather patterns have in open field. Most fruits get damaged with impeded the farmers from the year-round blight infestation. The average tomatoes production of the vegetables. per acre in open field is expected to be
3 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Table 1. Table shows off season vegetable production from green house Crop Nursery Harvest Produc- Rate Income (Month) (Month) tion/sale (Nu) (Nu.) Bayphu Cabbage November,2017 March,2018 67 Kgs 25 1675 Pam veg. April,2018 16 Kgs 15 240 Group Carrot November,2017 April,2018 5 Kgs 40 200 Chilli seed- March,2018 April,2018 30 bun- 50 1500 lings dles Tomato March,2018 August 40 30 1200 Total income(Nu) 4815/- Thrizor Cabbage November,2017 March,2018 50 kgs 18 900 Veg. Group Carrot April,2018 40kgs 18 720 Tomato April,2018 August 40 30 1200 Total income(Nu) 2820/- about 1,3120kg. However, cultivation of that the weeds invasion is relatively lower tomatoes under protected structure not and the requirement for irrigation water only can protect the crop from infestations is also lower inside the protected plastic but also showed a higher yield per acre of house. This provides the farmers with more about 2,650kg, which is double the yield time to invest in other economic activities. from the open field. Moreover, protected vegetable cultivation Observed benefits of the protected protects the fragile crops like tomatoes vegetable cultivation which cannot withstand the extreme atmospheric conditions in the open space. Beside off-season production of the vegetables, due to the controlled In addition, the protected vegetable atmospheric conditions, the failure of the cultivation is suitable for the country like crops grown inside the protected plastic Bhutan, where a majority of the landholding house is comparatively lower than the size is small and are predominated crops grown in the open space. The farmers can reap what they have toiled with limited attention and efforts required in warding off the wild animals and other preys like cattle. Similarly, the gewog agriculture extension office of Khaling observed Greenhouse installed in Khaling for Protected Agriculture www.carlep.gov.bt 4 Stories of Change CARLEP
by sloppy and rugged terrains. The the country could take up. It has the proven protected vegetable cultivation requires benefits of being economically, socially comparatively small land size, and, and environmentally sustainable. With the within the same plastic house, numerous limited land, water, and labor requirement, crops and vegetables can be grown optimal productions can be reaped from simultaneously. the protected vegetable house at all Supports and services infused to the season with the limited risk of infections group and damages. CARLEP supported the Bayphu Pam and The technology if promoted in an Thrizor vegetable groups to start-up with appropriate and intensive manner have the protected vegetable cultivation. A total of potential to attract the urban youth to take Nu. 10,000/- was allocated for the activity up vegetable farming, thereby, contributing to promote the production of sufficient to reducing the youth unemployment vegetables throughout the season. and rural-urban migration issues. The technology also has the potential to have From this allocation, two sets of poly the commercial and consistence vegetable house (Nu. 8,050 per poly house) and the productions throughout the seasons, materials for the installation of the plastic thereby, reducing the need for importing house were purchased beside other inputs from the neighboring countries. Further, like seeds and seedlings, watering pipes, the technology also has the advantage cans and sprinkles. The farmers were also of withstanding the change in climatic trained on vegetable productions, pest and conditions because the vegetables inside disease management, and post-harvest the plastic house are independent of the handlings. outside atmospheric conditions. Thus, Conclusion the technology is feasible in all the agro- Protected vegetable cultivation is a reliable ecological zones. technology that the vegetable producers of
Cabage Havested from Green House in Khaling
5 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Enhancing Mushroom cultivation in the region – A potential commercial crop for intensification Thinley Gyeltshen1, Tshering Dorji2, Subbash Ranna3
Oyster Mushroom
Introduction Therefore, the mushroom program based at the Agriculture Research and Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and Oyster Development Sub-center, Khangma in (Pleurotus sp.) are focused mushrooms for collaboration with Dzongkhag and gewog production in eastern Bhutan. Rationalized agriculture sector is encouraging the early by the increasing loss of arable land to school leavers and interested farmers urbanization and industrialization, the to take up mushroom farming as a busi- threat of climate change is severe on ness enterprise. Currently, the mushroom farming. Thus, mushroom farming is program has established 7 commercial the best substitute farming practice. It is mushroom farms with financial support climatically suitable in any agro-ecolog- from Rural Enterprise and Development ical zones provided with proper cropping Corporation Limited (REDCL). shed. Economically, mushroom farming is cost-effective and plays a vital role in the The mushroom program also encourages ecosystem. the youth to take up spawn production unit as a full-time employment. It is a Mushroom farming in the eastern region profitable business since the demand for is increasing every year covering all the Oyster spawn is high in the region. Thus, Dzongkhags, yet the production remains mushroom farming is another solution to at comparatively lower scale to suffice the address the youth unemployment issue demands in the domestic markets. Every and curb down the rate of rural- urban year, a huge quantity of mushroom is im- migration. ported: Oyster and Button mushroom from India and Shiitake and Wood ear mush- The focus is also shifted from small-scale room from Thailand and China to meet the farming to commercial mushroom farming. demand. To be qualified as commercial mushroom www.carlep.gov.bt 6 Stories of Change CARLEP farming, minimum of 5000 logs of Shiitake Shiitake mushroom is mostly cultivated in and 3000 bags of Oyster is required in the Oak logs. It is a season specific. The cul- farm. Besides, mushroom farming is also tivation starts from mid-December to the explored in the six Climate Smart Villages first week of April. (CSV) under CARLEP. 1m Oak log is prepared and 7-8-inch depth Spawn Production and supply holes are drilled alternatively on the log. Spawn is injected in each hole with the air For commercial purpose, the shiitake compressor and sealed with wax and rosin mushroom spawn is raised in the sawdust, in a proportion of 4:1 ratio. The Shiitake while the Oyster mushroom spawn is raised mycelium takes a minimum of 6 months to in wheat grains. Currently, the mushroom fully colonize in the inoculated logs given program in Khangma has 8 shiitake strains the optimum temperature of 20-25°c, rela- and 7 Oyster strains. These strains are tive humidity of 60-70% and light intensity renewed every after 8 times multiplication 35-40 lux inside cropping shed during the from each strain. incubation period. It gives fruiting for a In the 2017-2018 FY, 10000 bottles of maximum of 5 years provided a 1-month shiitake spawn and 3701 bottles of oyster rest period after every harvest. spawn were prepared and of this total, There is a 9.7% increase of Shiitake 7168 bottles of Shiitake spawn and 4317 mushroom inoculation in 2017-2018FY bottles of Oyster mushroon spawn were compared to 2016-2017FY in the region. A supplied to the individual interested mush- total of 7168 bottles of Shiitake mushroom room growers in the region. According to spawn were supplied for 51201 logs in the statistics of the mushroom programme 2017-2018FY. Trashigang Dzongkhag has at Khangma, the cultivation of the Shiitake highest Shiitake mushroom farming fol- and Oyster in the region is increased by lowed by Mongar Dzongkhag as reflected 10% and 60% respectively in 2017-18FY in Table 1. compared to the previous financial year. Oyster mushroom Inoculation Shiitake mushroom inoculation Wheat and rice straw are the main sub- The preference for Shiitake mushroom strate for oyster mushroom inoculation. cultivation in the region is almost It can be grown throughout the year and 50% higher than the Oyster mushroom because of its Table 1. Shiitake and Oyster mushroom inocu- higher price lation in 2017-2018 FY value. Dz- HHs Logs in- Bags In- ongkhag (no) oculated oculated (no) Mongar 23 6,928 1924 T/gang 36 12431 1024 T/yangtse 14 4514 892 P/gatshel 18 6759 1032 S/Jongkhar 4 1256 88 Lhuntse 3 2330 760 Shiitake Mushroom Total 98 34,218 5720 7 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii it can grow on all types of straw. Thus, of mushrooms, enhance the nutritional Oyster mushroom cultivation is the best diversity in daily diet and provide hands- method of utilizing agricultural residues/ on mushroom farming in the schools, the wastes for additional income generation to SAP in the region has initiated mushroom farmers. farming in School from few years ago. Students were provided with the practical The Oyster takes a maximum of one month knowledge, skills, and insights on mush- to colonize substrate fully. Parameters room farming. Table 2 shows the detail of requirement in cropping shed is same as mushroom farming undertaken by various Shiitake mushroom. However, relative schools through the SAP initiation. humidity requirement during the fruiting period is different from incubation for both c) Credit support farm mushrooms. Relative humidity of 80-90% Mushroom farming on a commercial scale is required inside the fruiting room. Layer is a lucrative business. It is economically method is followed in spawning. Straw is profitable, socially acceptable and envi- soaked for 15 minutes and steamed for 1.5 ronmentally friendly, wherein, the crop res- hours. In 2017-18FY, 12619 bags of Oyster idues and wastes are used as a substrate. mushroom are inoculated benefiting 61 mushroom growers in the region. There is Therefore, the number of people availing also an increase of 60.2% in oyster mush- of the loan from CSIF (Cottage and Small room farming compared to last financial Scale Industries Fund), BDBL under RF1 year. (Revolving Fund 1) is increasing every year in the east. A total of nine commer- a) Mushroom cultivation in the Climate cial farms are established under the credit Smart Village (CSV) scheme as reflected in Table 4. In the first year of CARLEP implementa- tion, the implementing agencies have iden- Table 2. Shiitake and Oyster mushroom tified six villages (one village each promoted in SAP from Six programme Dzongkhags) SAP Dzongkhag Log in- Bags In- as a Climate Smart Villages. With oculated oculated the funding from CARLEP, mush- (no) (no) room cultivation was explored and Tsamang PS Mongar 500 started in these Villages. A total Serzhong LSS 600 of 7 small-scale mushroom farms Kalapang PS 104 were established and 14 Oyster Mongar HS 250 mushroom growers promoted in Trashitse HS Trashigang 200 Threlphu CSV in Trashigang and Khaling LSS 300 Pangthang CSV in S/Jongkhar. Jampeling CS 520 Total of 2394 logs and 900 bags of Menji MSS Lhuntse 562 Oyster mushroom were inoculated. Yelchen CS Pemagath- 300 b) Mushroom cultivation sel through School Agriculture Tseche PS 100 Program (SAP) Thongsa PS 400 Bumdeling LSS T/Yangtse 248 To further explore the science T/yangtse LSS 200 www.carlep.gov.bt 8 Stories of Change CARLEP d) Mushroom cultivation in a Group is largely imported from India and the pro- duction competition is much higher. Owing to the shared labor, less land re- quirement and to create additional funds in Thus, with the higher demand for Shiitake the group, many existing farmers’ vegeta- mushroom, the demand for the Oak trees ble group are establishing the mushroom. is also on the rise, which may lead to de- This transition is not only helping the group forestation. Therefore, the Department of earn the additional income but also helping Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) has the group to be dynamic and resilient in the set a maximum limit of logs per season in case of uncertainties and crop failures. A every Dzongkhags to prevent mass defor- total of 4050 logs and 1380 bags were in- estation by Shiitake mushroom growers. oculated in a group thus far as reflected in Similarly, the Mushroom unit in collabora- Table 5. tion with mushroom growers has started Oak sapling plantation near their farm. The Conclusion exploration substitutes the log by sawdust Mushroom farming is gradually boosting in to inoculate Shiitake mushroom is also the eastern region as it is a lucrative busi- underway. ness and the growers don’t face the issues in marketing. The preference for Shiitake is relatively higher than Oyster because 1,2,3 - Mushroom Production Unit, ARDSC of its higher price value. Moreover, Oyster Khangma
Table 4. Shiitake mushroom promoted in credit support farms Name of farmers Gewog Dzongkhag Log inoculated Bags Inoculated (no) (no) Choeda Bidung Trashigang 1864 Chozum Shongphu 3500 M. Choling Samkhar 2515 Sonam Shermung Mongar 2378 Nima Dorji Tsengkhar Lhuntse 320 Sonam Lhamo Phungsothang S/Jongkhar 1184
Table 5. Shiitake and Oyster mushroom promoted in Group Name of group Village Gewog Dzongkhag Log in- Bags oculat- Inoc- ed (no) ulated (no) Sonam Gongphel Tshog- Chiphoong Chimung Pemagat- 1220 pa shel Veg.Group (Dungchen) M/nangkhar Phongmey Trashigang 380 Veg.Group (Dungchen) Bargonpa Phongmey 350 Dekiling Mushroom group Dekiling Radhi 1200 480 Farmers Group Lichen Yangtse T/yangtse 900 900 Veg.Group (Balam) Balam Balam Mongar 800
9 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Onion cultivation – A source of cash income for women’s group in Kengkhar Gazin Lhamo1 and Karma Wangmo2
Onoin curing in Kengkhar
Kengkhar gewog in Mongar is popular In the first year of cultivation, they pro- for handicraft products such as traditional duced about 1,584 kgs of onion and 797 altar ‘Choesham’, masks and the tradition- kgs was sold at a price range of Nu.40-50/ al wine container ‘Jandob’. The handicraft kg, earning a total amount of Nu. 34,780 products makes a better fortune than as reflected in Table 1. agriculture for the villagers. While men In the absence of other high value vegeta- focused on handicraft products, women bles in Kengkhar, due to acute water scar- in the past usually spend majority of their city, Onion has become one of the major time in the care economy, running the vegetable produced at commercial scale household chores and maintaining kitchen by every household. garden. Women were deprived of the cash generating source. Onion is suitable in the place like Kengkhar as its water requirement is low comapred In September 2016, three women to other high value vegetables. Moreover, farmers’ group consisting of 13 members onion cultivation is not labor intensive started commercial onion cultivation, and are also less prone to diseases and with the input supports from CARLEP to infections. Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC, Wengkhar). The group cul- Bhutan has a large potential for producing tivated onion in 2 acres of fallow dryland. onion to be self-sufficient, yet, it is one of Similarly, several other individual women the major imported vegetables. An Article also started onoin cultivation. in Sanam Drupdrey of 2014 reveals that a farmer can earn about Nu. www.carlep.gov.bt 10 Stories of Change CARLEP
Table 1. Onion production and income in 2016 Name of female Village Production Quantity sold Total group (Kg) (Kg) income Tsalabi group Tsalabi 345 260 10,000 Munma Group Munma 506 177 15,280 Kinzang Jurmey Udaric 700 350 9000 Dungkhar Gonpa shingchongric 8 Group Tshering Wangzom Brungphu 25 10 500 Total 1584 797 34,780
60,000- 126,450 per acre and net family The cultivation of onion is also not labor labor returns of Nu. 309.00-1046.00. This intensive and is a promising source of data indicates that the onion cultivation income, especially to the women farmers. can make a fortune for the growers. Thus, CARLEP supports the production and promotion of onion in the region to The women groups in Kengkhar plans to uplift the livelihood standards of the rural increase the onion production in the years women. to come. Onion cultivation provided an opportunities for rural women in Kengkhar to earm cash 1 - EA, Kengkhar, income independently. The ability to earn 2 - Gender and Knowledge Management cash income gives a woman more decision Officer, OPM, CARLEP making authority in the household.
EA inspecting onion during curing process
11 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Vegetable Production intensified through Commercial sites Yangchen Dema1, Sonam Gyeltshen2 and Sonam Pelden1
vegetable nursery under low-cost poly house in commercial site
Vegetable production plays an important a means to provide youth and women role in Bhutanese economy. Though 60 % into income earning activity. To encour- of population depends on agriculture for age more farmers to go for commercial livelihoods, Bhutan imports 14,354 MT of vegetable production in Eastern Bhutan, vegetables on average every year accord- ARDC-Wengkhar with fund support from ing to the Kuensel report dated 2nd April CARLEP started a commercial vegetable 2018. In the 11th five-year plan, vegetable production in four different areas. self-sufficiency was at 83.12%. And in In collaboration with Dzongkhag order acheive 100% vegetable self-suffi- Agriculture Sector of eastern Bhutan, cient, 65,162 MT of vegetables has to be ARDC-Wengkhar has selected four fea- imported. sible sites as a commercial vegetable To attain self-sufficiency in vegetable production sites. 62 farmers (54 female, 8 production, many measures have been male) including early school leavers have adopted. One such measure adopted is started commercial vegetable cultivation commercialization in vegetable production in a total land of 16.5 acres since August in different parts of the country. Commercial 2017. vegetable production in eastern part of The four commercial vegetable production the country is advancing with increasing sites located at an altitude ranging from demands for local vegetables. General 1200masl to 2200masl were supplied public are willing to pay little higher price with suitable vegetable seeds along with for local vegetables, encouraging farmers vegetable production equipment (water to go for commercial vegetable production. sprinkles, pipes, syntax, poly house) from Commercial vegetable production is also www.carlep.gov.bt 12 Stories of Change CARLEP
CARLEP support to ARDC. The seeds of The total income generated by the four 14 different crops were supplied to each Table 1: Total production and income site depending on the feasibility of the area. generated. Crop production plan and cropping Commercial site Quantity sold Total Income calendars was developed for each (Kg) (Nu.) site by the focal person from ADRC- Wengkhar in collaboration with Gashari 600 21000 gewog agriculture extension staff. Dhingshingzor 300 8500 The sites were constantly monitored Tokaphu 4581 175980 and provided with required techni- Bargonpa 945 18325 cal supports. A member from each Total 6,426 224,895 group, usually a school leaver was group was Nu. 223805, which is exclusive- asked to keep record of quantity produced ly attributed to the income generated by and sold. the sale of winter vegetables. The total vegetable production from the Although, the average income from the four sites was 6,426 kgs of cole crops. sale of vegetables have not made signifi- Production of cabbage and cauliflower was cant contribution to the individual farmers good due to favorable winter weather re- but it has started to enable farmers begin quired as required by the crop. In Tokaphu to realize income from vegetable cultiva- gewog alone, 2,650 kgs of cabbage and tion. The farmers have also been provided cauliflower were marketed generating an with basic production supports which can income of Nu. 96000. enable them step up production scale and The similar case was seen in Gashari increase their income from the following where 600 kgs of cole crops was marketed. season. The technical skills in vegetable Gashari group generated Nu.21000 from cultivation have been disseminated to them three Cole crops i.e. broccoli, cabbage and through a hands on practice approach cauliflower. Farmers were able to fetch during the cultivation season. higher price for cabbage and cauliflower 1 due to band on import of these crops. - Research Assisstant, ARDC Wengkhar 2 - Senior Research Officer, ARDC Wengkhar
13 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Lhamo Norgin Phendhen Deytshen- A boon to the Dairy farmers of Minjey Gewog Tashi Tshering, EA Minjey and Dr. Karma Phuntsho1 “As the day breaks, Ap Gyembola of small hamlet by the name of Minjey lazily rises up from his cozy bed, and as usual, embarks on his everyday drill. He neatly cleans the cow dung off from the floor with a shovel into a bucket. He walks a few distances and pours out the dung into the biogas inlet. He then turns on the chaff cutter to mince bunches of rice straw and the chopped pieces are collected, mixed with molasses solution in a container and are fed to his animals. He the milks his five Holstein Friesian cows among eight that he rears and sets his animals to lose for grazing into the lush green pasture that lies beyond the cattle shed. Then, he takes his 30 liters of milk to Lhamo Norgin Phenden Deysthen Milk Processing Unit (MPU). The ritual is same with other 23 dairy farmers who are the members of the dairy group.”
Lhamo Norgin Phendhen Deytshen is a inconsistent with an average of about dairy group established in 2014 at Minjey 60-80 liters of milk per day in the peak Gewog of Lhuentse Dzongkhag with 13 season. During the lean season, the pro- female and 11 male members. The group duction was even low. currently has a total of 90 cattle heads To boost the production, various activ- inclusive of 39 Jersey heads, 5 Holstein ities from the same funding source were Friesien Cross and 46 local cattle. The initiated by the Gewog and Dzongkhag rationales for the group formation were; Livestock Office. The dairy owners were to enhance sustainable rural livelihoods given various capacity building and aware- by introducing improved cattle breeds for ness such as clean milk production, calf dairy products; to promote sustainable management, animal husbandry and im- utilization of pasture land by providing portance of body condition score. They improved pasture seeds and barbed wire were also encouraged for the fodder de- for fencing, and to enhance food securi- velopment and reduce the open grazing. ty by increasing availability of the dairy A total of 3 improved cattle were also out- products. The Group also emphasizes on sourced in 2015. green economic growth and enhanced in- clusive social development among group Gradually, the milk production reached a members in the community. new height. The group currently collects about 150-190 liters per day, which is Funding assistance by the then IFAD double the amount with what they have project called MAGIP (Market Access and started. Today, a member with the lowest Growth Intensification Project) to maintain milk supply gets Nu. 2970 a month and the dairy value chain and marketing system largest supplier takes home a whopping helped the Diary Group infrastructural Nu. 29700 a month. The milk from all the development and machinery of the MPU. group members is collected at the farm- The MPU started collecting milk in 2015. gate price of Nu.32 per liter. However, due to the limited number of cattle heads and the farmers being new The chairman of the group, Mr. Gyembola, to such activities, the milk production is optimistic about changes he witnessed was relatively low. The production was just in few years. He says he didn’t expect www.carlep.gov.bt 14 Stories of Change CARLEP to see the fruition of his endeavors and Deytshen got almost dissolved in the 2nd hard toil yet he is the one who is taking year of its establishment. home the monthly amount of Nu. 28800 However, the Regional Agricultural and per month from the sale of milk. Along with Marketing Cooperative (RAMCO) aided it, he spends quality time in livestock activ- in reviewing and revising the by-laws and ities like developing pasture land, making the eventual registration of the Group. The silage and preparing Total Mixed Ration group members were also made aware on (TMR) feed, which is a source of cash the conflict management. Thus, the group income for his family. is revived back. Reaching to the MPU, the milk is processed The RAMCO is studying the market feasi- to cheese and butter. Approximately bility of the current production and also ex- 247.5kg butter and 445.5 Kg cheese are ploring the market for yogurt. The existing sold monthly in a peak season. MPU is extended to accommodate yogurt Continuous Supports from CARLEP machinery and this switch of productions from cheese and butter to yogurt is antic- For the continuous establishment and sta- ipated to increase the income generation bility of the group, supports for the same for the group members as they take value group continued from the new IFAD-funded addition a step further. Project, CARLEP. Mr. Gyembola brought a new chaff cutter Conclusion on a cost-sharing mechanism of 40:80, Lhamo Norgin Phendhen Deytshen has wherein, 40% of the total cost was borne transformed the lives of its members. by himself and the rest was borne from Within a short span of time, the dairy CARLEP. Similarly, he imported five farmers could generate cash income to Holstein Friesian crossbred cows at a sub- buy basic commodities for the individual sidized rate. He also secured his pasture household. Their economic hours are used area with barbed wire. for meaningful household activities rather than marketing individually and looking for Furthermore, to maintain a sustainable alternative source of income. The produc- and climate resilient dairy value chain, tion form the group also could meet the CARLEP provided all the group members demands for large quantities of dairy prod- with packages for construction of improved ucts during annual household Rimdros dairy sheds, silo pits, and Biogas plants. in their community. As the group evolves Subsequently, the impacts were tangible with time, the members are equipped with in the form of better quality and clean milk the tools of lessons and experiences that production, availability of winter fodder and only make them better at planning the next improved utilization of cow dung. stages of endeavors they undertake, in Rising back from the challenges expanding their horizons of production, out Lack of cooperation and not complying of their comfort zones, into the economies with the agreed bylaws are some under- of scale that they never dared to dream lying issues in the group that impedes the about. overall performance. Due to lack of coop- 1 - City Veterinary Hospital & Satellite eration and dwindling support from laggard Laboratory, Nganglam, Pemagatshel members, Lhamo Norgin Phendhen 15 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Large scale oat production as winter fodder in Bikhar Pema Jamtsho1, Sheda Wangchuk2, Pema Matshok3 and Lungten Lungten4
Oat cultivation in Bikhar
The scarcity of winter fodder is one of the grasses and seeds to other adjacent main problems faced by the dairy farmers Dzongkhags. The trail for seed productions in Bhutan. The fodder shortage is further was done in about acres of fallow land. intensified in recent years with growing Background of the village numbers of crossbred animals and com- mercialization of dairy industry. In order Bikhar village is located at about 18 km to address this challenge, the government from the Dzongkhag headquarter. The particularly the Department of Livestock village is considered as one of the model came up with lots of strategies. Silage dairy farming villages because of the in- making, haymaking, maize stover, straw tensified dairy farming and also because treatment and winter fodder cultivation every household in the village owns are some of the methods that are being the dairy farm, which is one of the main pursued vigorously in the field. sources of income. Experiencing the issue of winter fodder The village has three dairy groups- shortages in the Bikhar village of Samkhar Yumsum Gonor Gongphel Detshen, gewog in Trashigang, the dairy farmers Bikhar Domkhar Gonor Detshen, and came up with the idea of large-scale oat Khapti-Bikhar Gonor Detshen. These cultivations. The primary objective of the three groups are main suppliers of fresh large-scale oat cultivation was to provide milk to Chenery Dairy Processing Plants a continuous supply of fodder during the or the Kofuku Internation Limited (KIL). lean season. This primary objective was The groups at present (as of May 2018) coupled by the long-term objective to be has 32, 20 and 25 group members respec- able to be the center to supply the fodder tively. Approximately the village has 1990 www.carlep.gov.bt 16 Stories of Change CARLEP
cattle that produce about 618,257 liters of of CARLEP. These various supports from milk annually. various agencies has resulted in the culti- vation of 121 acres of oats in the 2017-18 Oat production FY as tabulated in Table 1. Although the cultivation of oat as a winter fodder had been Table 1: Detail of supports provided by different agencies doing by the farmers of Bikhar Agencies Type of Quantity No. of Area villages on a small scale, the support (kg) HHs (acres) need for the large-scale pro- CARLEP Oat seed 1995 56 57 duction was felt only after the NRDCAN Oat seed 2240 57 64 formation of dairy groups in Geog Urea 6000 113 121 2014 onwards.
Gradually, the cultivated area increased Economic benefits of the oat with each succeeding years to fulfill the cultivation needs of increasing demands that are Within the same financial year of the large- brought by the increase in the number of scale oat cultivation, the increase in the milk crossbred animals and gradual shifting of production increased by 26% compared to the conventional system of rearing to stall the previous year. The milk production rose feeding. The cultivation of oat starts from up from 68.8 metric ton of milk in 2016-17 October till December. It is usually har- FY to 92.7 metric ton in 2017-18 FY as vested after three months. given in reflected in Figure 1. Although External assistances provided to the other factors like improvements in animal oat growers husbandry practices, increase in number Understanding the importance of oat of cattle population, and increase in knowl- as a reliable winter fodder, a group edge and skills might be the contributing of 113 dairy farmers approached the factors in the increase in milk production, Dzongkhag Livestock sector enquiring the role that the oat cultivation has played for the provision of support services. The in increasing the production through con- Dzongkhag Livestock sector with the tinuous supply of green fodder during the Regional Livestock Development Centers (RLDC, Kanglung), National Research Development Centre for Animal Nutrition (NRCAN, Bumthang) and Gewog Administration collab- orated to provide the technical assistance. The input assistances especially the supply of oat seeds was Figure 1. Quantity of milk (in MT) in two financial year borne from the funding 17 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii lean season cannot be denied. paddy field following the paddy harvest. The paddy field of the farmers of Bikhar In addition to using oat as the main fodder which usually used to remain fallow in the during the lean seasons, farmers of Bikhar past is now used for oat cultivation, which also sold the excess oat production to the provides reliable winter fodder and also adjacent Dzongkhags. A total of 42 metric the source of additional income. tons of oat was sold to Mongar Dzongkhag and another 3.5 metric tons were sold to Conclusion the dairy farmers of Trashiyangtse. From The cultivation of oat as a winter fodder the sale of the oat, the oat earned a total helps farmers overcome fodder shortage income of Nu. 231,000 at given in Table 2. during the lean season. This keeps the Similarly, the cultivation of oat has en- animal in optimum production thereby hanced the optimum utilization of the land increasing the income generation of the resources. The oat is cultivated in the farmers. It also helps to use the land productively which are mostly left fallow Table 2: Data showing quantity of oat that in winter. Therefore, replication of such are sold and income generated. initiatives particularly in the dairy inten- Location Quantity Income sives areas will greatly help and encour- (MT) (Nu) age farmers to take up the dairy industry Gelposhing, 14 98000 enthusiastically. Mongar Khurungpam, 28 112000 1*,3 - Dzongkhag Adminstration, Trashigang, Mongar Bhutan. 1 - Geog Administration, Samkhar, Bayling, Trashi- 3.5 21000 Trashigang, Bhutan. 4 - City Veterinary Hospi- yangtse tal & Satellite Laboratory, Dewathang, Sam- Total 44.5 231,000 drup Jongkhar, Bhutan
Oat Harvest in Bikhar www.carlep.gov.bt 18 Stories of Change CARLEP
CAIT-CAHW successful in Themnangbi and Jaibab, Mongar Lungten Lungten & Karma Phuntsho Artificial insemination (AI) is considered as one of the most important reproductive technology for improving the genetic potential of animals to increase the productivity. The technology was first introduced in Bhutan on trial basis in 1982 and was adopted in a planned manner since 1987. Since then, the Department of Livestock has established 106 AI outreach center covering all the 20 Dzongkhags. In the areas where AI services are not reacheable, quality breeding bulls have been supplying from central farms and also from the Contract Heifer and Bull Production Programme (CHBPP) for the dissemination of genetic potential of selected elite males for breed improvement.
Despite such initiatives, due Mr. Sangay providing AI services to rough geographical terrain, lack of adequate AI technician and multi-tasking Department of Livestock initiated CAIT in of the Livestock extension officials, the 2010, with the first batch of pilot training services are not able to reach in many conducted in November 2010 at Rural corners of the country. The problem is Development Training Centre (RDTC), further aggravated by the increasing Zhemgang. As of now (up to May 2018), demand of veterinary services that are the department has trained 82 CAIT from brought about by the rapid growth of various parts of the country. livestock sectors, particularly with the Understanding the importance of CAIT intensification of dairy development in filling the gap of technical human and restructuring of livestock sector resources in the field, Regional Livestock for accelerated livestock development Development Centre (RLDC), Kanglung in the 11th FYP. Thus, the need for in collaboration with relevant agencies Community-based AI Technician (CAIT) had trained 29 people from six eastern service delivery was found pressing in the Dzongkhag with support from CARLEP. commercially viable areas, where dairy The training was conducted for the duration and other commodity program activities of 27 days from 30th October to 26th are taken up at commercial scales. The
19 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
November 2017 at City Veterinary Hospital these two villages had to avail the services & Satellite Laboratory, Dewathang, all the way from District Veterinary Hospital Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag. (DVH), Mongar which is about 24 km from their village. Because of the long distance, Together with the training on Artificial it was often difficult for the farmers to Insemination, the participants were access the services when they required. also given the training to function as Now, with his presence, the farmers in a Community Animal Health Worker these two villages can readily avail of the (CAHW). These CAHW can deliver the services that will contribute to the livestock basic animal health services to their development program. Apart from the respective communities. The participants Artificial Insemination, the dairy farmers were given the theory as well as practical also can rely on to Mr. Sangay for any training in 30:70 module format. health complications of the animals. A case of Mr. Sangay Tenzin Mr. Sangay Tenzin delivered the first Mr. Sangay Tenzin was one of the artificial insemination on his neighbor’s beneficiaries of the CAHW-CAIT training cattle on 16th December 2017, exactly that was conducted and organized by twenty days after the completion of the RLDC, Kanglung with the funding from training. The case was successful, and CARLEP. With the knowledge and skill that has further aggravated the confidence that he got from the training, he provides and professionality in him to deliver more services to two village; Themnangbi and similar services. And thus, he continued Jaibab village under Mongar gewog. He serving more. also delivers his services to Themnangbi For the smooth flow and acceptance of Om Tshongdril Gotsug Nyemlay Tshokdey Mr. Sangay’s service in the community, and Jaibab Zambala Detshen which has an awareness program was provided 19 and 21 active members respectively. to the farmers along with the guidelines The groups produce approximately 5042 and agreement between the farmers liters of milk in a month as reflected in themselves and the officials from table 1 in detail. The milk is sold at Mongar Regional, Dzongkhag and the Gewog town at Nu. 50 per liter. When calculated, Office. The accessories like semen bank, the groups together earn a gross income reservoir cans, and portable cans were of approximately Nu. 252,100 per month provided by RLDC, Kanglung. CARLEP (average milk quantity x market price). supported apron, AI gun, surgical kit, Both the groups were started in 2007. and thermometer. Similar support had Prior to the training of Mr. Sangay Tenzin been provided to other CAITs of Samdrup as the CAHW-CAIT, the dairy farmers of Jongkhar, Pemgatshel, Trashigang and Table 1. Detail of two dairy groups on production and income earned Group name No. of group Average Quantity Avg. Gross Income members per month (litres) per month (Nu) Themnangbi Om Tshongdril 19 5297 264,833 Gotsuvg Nyemlay Tshokdey Jaibab Zambala Detshen 21 4787 239,333 www.carlep.gov.bt 20 Stories of Change CARLEP
Figure 1. Total number of AI done (up to May, 2018) Mongar Dzongkhags wherein they share the communities in terms of improving the the similar success stories. breeds and reaching AI and animal health As of now (up to 16th May 2018), Mr. services to every corner of the country. It Sangay has done 33 inseminations in increases the technical human resources Themnangbi village and 16 inseminations capacity in the field and helps to meet at Jaibab Village as presented in Figure 1. the increasing demand for AI and animal For each insemination, he earns service health services which are occurring due to charges of Nu. 200 from the cattle owners the gradual transition of livestock farming of Themnangbi villages and Nu. 350 from subsistence to commercial farming. from Jaibab Village. The difference of the The program also provides employment charge is owing to the distance he has to to the youth and will helps to maintain travel. From the total of 49 inseminations, the sustainability of the AI program in he earned an income of Nu.12, 000. If all the field due to community participation. inseminated cows conceive, he would earn Continuations of such program in the Nu 600/conceptions for male calf and Nu. future will definitely improve the livelihoods 1000/conceptions for female calf which is a of rural people. quite a good amount for his family. He does not charge for the repeated insemination for the same cattle. The rate of the services charges is fixed after the discussion and agreement with the farmers in the community.
Conclusion The Community based AI Technician (CAIT) CAIT received certificate after training at RLDC Kanglung has immense benefit to 21 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Animal Nutrition Development in Mongar Cheda Cheda1 and Karma Phuntsho
Silage preparation - Fooder conservation technology adopted by farmers Nutrition plays a significant role in produc- According to livestock statistics (2017), tion performances of the animals. With there are 26805 cattle comprising 66.03% varied agro-ecological zones in Bhutan, local (17698), 33.89% improved (9084) subsistence farming predominates in which and 0.09% (23) producing 4565.19 MT of the animals are kept for food, manure, and milk in Mongar. Under the cattle sourcing draft power. Owning to poor access to program of CARLEP, Mongar Dzongkhag nutrition, animals often fails to exhibit the alone had sourced 120 cross breed cattle production potentials. As a consequence, to cater the soaring demand for the milk Bhutan import livestock products worth and milk products (Livestock data, 2008- Nu. 2427.79 Million (kuensel, 2016). Meat 2014). However, with limited land holdings is the highest import in 2016 where total and free access to forest grazing, improved consumption was 11781 MT against the pasture development in the fallow and domestic production of 2863 MT. To sub- marginal land has been relatively poor. stitute the imports of livestock products, Currently, Mongar district has 1500 acres a paradigm shift in farming towards com- of improved pasture [Temperate: 800, mercial scale was instituted through cattle Sub-tropical: 700], 115.45 acres of fodder outsourcing, farmers’ group formation, grass and 49286 number of fodder trees. crossbreeding, User Right Certification Under the financial support from CARLEP, and extensive health service coverage. So, various activities were executed to develop this has resulted in substantial increase in perennial fodder in fallow and marginal crossbred cattle demanding higher and land to cater the fodder shortages, espe- balanced nutrition. cially during the lean seasons. The data www.carlep.gov.bt 22 Stories of Change CARLEP
where beneficiaries contribute 40%
4600 and CARLEP supports 60% of the
4550 total cost. In total, 41 acres of the 4500 pasture land was fenced. 4450 Supply of ensiling machines (Chaff 4400 Production (MT) 4350 cutter) 4300 Under the subsidy scheme of 40: 4250 60 (40%- beneficiary’s contribution, 4200 FY 2016-17 FY 2017-18 60% CARLEP support), 47 Chaff’s cutter were distributed to the dairy Figure 1. Milk Production in FY2016-17 and FY group members to facilitate chop- 2017-18 ping, ensiling and save labor. was collected from the affiliated gewogs Fodder conservation Training which is illustrated in Figure 1 and 2. Training is provided to impart knowledge Supply of seed and seedlings and build human resource capacity on During the financial year 2016-17, 293 the approved technologies. Fodder con- acres of pasture land was developed servation is one genuine component through the supply of temperate and which counters the fodder scarcity during sub-tropical grass seeds. Likewise, the lean (winter) season. Conservation 20 acres of fodder grass slips/cuttings technologies like; silage and haymaking, (Napier, Guatemala, Pakchong varieties) maize stover treatment and urea treatment were developed to enhance the availability of straw are readily accepted activities by of fodder resources to cattle. To address the farmers. However, free grazing still the fodder shortages during the lean predominates stall feeding which poses season, 50 acres of winter fodder were threats to environmental conservation. To developed in various patches of the fallow overcome the above trend, 136 farmers and marginal land of the Dzongkhag. from dairy groups were trained on fodder conservation methods. Supply of fencing materials Without fencing and re- 631 inforcement, the sustain- 607 ability of the pasture land has become a serious 700 issue. Poor grazing man- 600 agement, competition 500 from wild animals and free 400 186 214
distribution of the seeds Production (MT) 300 had resulted in heavy in- 200 vestment to develop the 100 improved pasture land. 0 To address the issue, the Butter Cheese FY2016-17 FY2017-18 cost-sharing mechanism (40:60) was devised Figure 2. Butter and cheese production
23 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
respectively. Improved dairy shed construction materials supply with the inclusion of biogas packages had resulted in trapping the Methane gas (CH4). Conclusion The support from the project had enabled the government to provide Silage prepared from maize strover basic equipment like Results chaff cutter, seed, and seedlings to the dairy farmers which is difficult to get at The milk production had significantly in- field level. It also helped improve the creased by 5.30% in the financial year knowledge and skills of our farmers that 2017-18 as compared to 2016-17 (Figure will remain with them forever. This defi- 1). The increase in milk production is at- nitely had brought lots of changes in the tributed to improved nutrition, improved livestock industry. Such assistance should shed construction, capacity building on be continued in the near future so that our fodder conservation, breed improvement, country becomes self-sufficient in livestock pasture land reinforcement and subsidy products. support programs. Likewise, there is the subsequent increase of 13.04% and 3.85% for butter and cheese production 1 - Dzongkhag Administration, Mongar, Bhutan
Fodder grass plantation on mariginal land is promoted in all the gewogs www.carlep.gov.bt 24 Stories of Change CARLEP
Napier and Gautemala plantation on Marginal Land in Pemagatshel Yonten Dorji1, Norbu Gyaltshen2 and Lungten Lungten
Napier grass plantation along the road In the last few years, considerable de- with relevant agencies has developed velopment in the dairy farming has taken pasture land, the quantity was not suf- place in Pemagatshel Dzongkhag. Several ficient for feeding the growing number dairy groups are formed in various parts of of crossbred animals. In addition, some the Dzongkhag. With such development of the farmers do not own sufficient land on the rise, most of the enthusiast dairy for fodder plantation. Therefore, to solve farmers are opting to rear the crossbreed the problem of fodder shortage, the animals like Jersey and Holstein Friesian Dzongkhag Livestock sector initiated the that provides comparatively higher milk pro- planting of fodder grass along the farm duction than the local breeds. Therefore, roads in different villages. This initiative many of the improved cattle had been was done not only to make the fodder also purchased from India through various available to the dairy farmer but also to re- government subsidies that resulted in the instate the degraded lands which occurred increasing number of crossbred animals. as a result of farm road excavation. Concurrently, the traditional system of Start of the initiation rearing the animals in the open field, that are usually practice with the local cattle is The Dzongkhag Livestock sector initiated decreasing. Farmers are shifting the cattle the plantation of the Napier and Guatemala rearing practice from open grazing to the fodder along the farm roads with Regional stall feeding. Such gradual change in hus- Livestock Development Centre (RLDC, bandry practices and the rise in improved Kanglung) with a fund support from cattle population I posing a huge demand CARLEP in 2017-18 FY. The supports for the feeds and fodders. for a purchase of all the fodder slips and transportation were borne from CARLEP, Although the Dzongkhag in collaboration 25 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii while the respective community members can readily avail the fodders. contributed to the labor force. The techni- Similarly, prior to the initiative, some cal guidance and support for the planta- farmers didn’t have any pasture land tions were provided by the Dzongkhag and which has limited them to take up the dairy Gewog Extension Officials. Table 1 shows farming. Collecting the fodders from the the detail of the plantations. forest was labor intensive. However, with The plantation was started from Bartseri the fodder plants made available, many village under Shumar gewog in June farmers are interested to venture into dairy 2017. Around 15,000 Guatemala slips and farming in a commercial scale. 20,000 Napier slips were planted along Table. 1: Detail of plantation in different the 7 km stretch of the village farm road. locations The plantation was done on both side of the road, and in the areas Gewog Village Gautemala Napier Length where it is prone for soil erosion. (Slips) (slips) (Km) The location for the plantation Nanong Tephu 10,000 10,000 4 was strategically selected as per Chongshing Thongsa 9000 9000 5 the economic viability and physi- Shumar Bartseri 15,000 20,000 7 cal verification of land to the sus- Khar Khengzor 18000 20000 9 ceptibility of erosion. Today (as of May 2018), the plantations at Conclusion Bertseri benefits the Bertseri diary group with 12 members. Plantation of fodder grass on the roadside have multiple benefits. It firstly ensures The similar plantation was done in four the availability and accessibility to fodder other gewogs of the Dzongkhag. A total resources for the dairy farmers, which will of 52,000 Guatemala slips and 59,000 encourage the farmers to upscale their Napier slips along the total of 25 km farm dairy farming. This will not only improve the road was planted. livelihood status of the individual farmer Current status of the initiative but also contribute into nation-building. Further, plantation of fodder grasses along Currently, farmers are reaping the bene- the roadsides has the benefits to land fits of the fodder plantation along the farm management by combating the landslides roads. With the fodder available along the and soil erosion. farm roads, farmers needn’t have to worry about the fodder shortage. Therefore, such programs need to be con- tinued in the future particularly in the areas Some farmers shared their experiences where there is fodder shortage and the that the initiative has helped them reduce areas are prone to soil erosion and land- the time to collect the fodder grasses from slides. Plantation of Napier and Gautemala the adjacent forest. Few dairy farmers had are also recommended in the areas where to travel about 3-4 hours into the forest there is the recent excavation of land due to collect one load of fodder which can to farm road construction or mining. feed only about 2-3 cattle heads a day. However, with the initiation of the fodder 1 - Dzongkhag Administration, Pemagatshel. plantation along the roads, these farmers 2 - Gewog Administration, Shumar. www.carlep.gov.bt 26 Stories of Change CARLEP
Commercial dairy farming in Bikhar Pema Mashok, EA Samkhar Introduction has started semi-commercial dairy farm in Bikhar in 2017. They have 11 and 15 Several Commercial Dairy Farm has been number of jersey heads respectively. started in Samkhar since the operation of Kufouku International Limited (KIL) On an average, the milk production from in Chenary of Trashigang. According to Dorji Tshering and Sonam Dorji are 2000 data maintained with the gewog Livestock liter per month and 2500-3000 liter per Extension Officer, about 65.5% of farmers in month respectively. The monthly income of Bikhar village of Samkhar gewog depends these two farmers ranges from Nu. 72,000 on dairy farming as a major source of live- – 90,000. Both Dorji Tshering and Sonam lihoods. At present, the Bikhar has three Dorji does the fresh milk marketing to KIL. dairy groups with 210 HHs member. The According to them, many dairy farmers Khabti-Bikhar dairy group established in has high preference forHolstein Friesian 2008, Yusum Gonor Gongphel Detshen (HF) cattle. Therefore, they are planning to established in 2010 and the Bikhar- establish breeding centers for HF bulls. Domkhar dairy group established in 2011 are successful exemplary dairy group in Institutionalization of biogas plants the gewog. with the establishment of dairy groups The CARLEP has supported these groups With the establishment of dairy groups in with the construction of improved cattle Bikhar and every household raise at least shed for 68 HHs with the worth of Nu. 3 cattle which gives out abundent dung for 1.9/- million. Similarly, the Trashigang Bio-gass plant. Thus, the CARLEP and Dzongkhag Development Grant (DDG) supported with Nu. 0.85/- million for cattle sourcing and the con- struction of improved cattle shed for two semi-commercial dairy farms. The other supports such as 30% subsidy for the import of 25 cattle including the feeding cost, transportation cost, quar- antine fee and shed materials were also supported. This complimentary supports of CARLEP and the DDG have increased the dairy production through promotion of both backyard and semi-commercial dairy farms in the gewog. A case of two semi-commercial dairy farmers Dorji Tshering and Sonam Dorji are Milk being tested for bacterial count at MCC, the first two private individuals, who Bikhar 27 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
DDG supported the installation of biogas than 10,0000. Table 1 shows the detail of plants in all the 68 households in 2017. the milk supplied to the KIL and the income Currently, these farmers are using the earned by each group in the month of April- biogas for cooking, while the bio-slurry are June 2017. used as a manure. MCC supported from CARLEP benefitted Accordingly, farmers have reported drastic the dairy farmer of Bikhar drop in use of firewood and LPG since the In 2017, with the funding from CARLEP to installation of biogas. The hygienic condi- Dzongkhag, a milk collection center (MCC) tions and the consumption of green vege- was constructed, which became operation- tables has also increased. alized in the same year. The MCC is used KIL assures market for fresh milk by all the all the three dairy groups.
Market for fresh milk Table 1: Quantity of milk supplied and the income earned was big issue in the past, prior to Name of the DFG Milk quantity (liter Rate (Nu/ Amount (Nu.) establishment of in a month) Liter) KIL. Fresh Milk Bikhar-Domkhar 10645 36/L 383220/- was rarely sold DFG in market. The Khapti-Bikhar DFG 30331 36/L 10,91916/- cheese and butter Yusum DFG 12388 36/L 45968/- flooded the local Total 53,364L 19,21,104/- demand fetch- ing low price. This impeded the farmers Every morning, the dairy farmers reach to take-up dairy farming on commercial the milk till the MCC where the milk quality scale. testing and chilling are done. From the However, the operation of Kofouku MCC, a pick-up van from KIL collect and International Limited (KIL) at Chenary in transport the milk to KIL. 2014 provided the market assurance for According to the gewog livestock extension fresh milk. The Chenary plant has intake officer, unlike in the past, the dairy farmers capacity of 4,000 liters of fresh milk a day. of Bikhar needn’t have to take their milk This has now encouraged the farmers to to the Buna Chilling plant by paying Nu. take up a full time commercial dairy farm. 14000 as a transportation charge every The three Dairy group from Bikhar sup- month. plies about 600-700 liters of fresh milk to Conclusion KIL in a day on average during summer With the operation of KIL in 2014, which and 350-500 liters during winter. has assured the market for fresh milk, Increasing income the farmers of Tarshigang Dzongkhag in The milk price paid to the farmers by KIL general and Bikhar in particular has picked is on the constant rise depending upon up commercial dairy farming. The three the milk quality. Today, the KIL pays Nu. dairy groups of Bikhar produces about 30 for the alcohol negative milk, Nu. 36 53,364 liters of milk in a month, fetching for the alcohol positive milk and Nu. 40 for them an average income ranging from Nu. the liter of milk having bacterial count less 12,000 to 80,000 a month. www.carlep.gov.bt 28 Stories of Change CARLEP
Milestone of IFAD’s Projects and Programme in Bhutan Since 1981
Punakha-Wangdi Valley Development Project Budget: 2.6 million US$ Beneficiaries: 3,500HHs Area: Punakha and Wangdue Focus: Improve agriculture and livestock production, extend rural credits, control soil erosion and village forestry, irrigation management
Small Farm Development and Irrigation Rehabilitation Project Budget: 9.1 Million US$ Beneficiaries: 9,200HHs Area: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Wangdue Focus: Agriculture intensification & improving PWVDP infrastructures. 1989-1996
TMAD 1987 - 1992
SFIDRP 1981-1989
Tashigang and Mongar Area Development Project Budget: 4.8 million US$ Beneficiaries: 7,340HHs Area: Tashigang and Mongar Focus: introduced new farming technology, expanded extension services, improve credit deliveries.
29 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii Milestone of IFAD’s Projects and Programme in Bhutan Since 1981
Second Eastern Zone Agriculture Programme Budget: 9.5 million US$ Beneficiaries: 23,000HHs Area: 6 eastern Dzongkhags CARLEP Focus: creation of commodity-based FG’s, RUG’s, (2015-2022) WUA’s, Construction of farm roads, support services to extensions and rural credits and savings MAGIP 2011-2015 AMEPP 2006-2012 SEZAP 2000-2005 Market Access and FEZAP Growth Intensification 1992-1998 Project Budget: 13.5 million US$ Beneficiaries: 5,290HHs Agriculture, Marketing and Area: 6 Eastern Enterprise promotion Programme Dzongkhags Budget: 13.9million US$ Focus: improving Beneficiaries: 22,000HHs the productivity of Area: 6 Eastern Dzongkhags subsistence-based Focus: increasing the agricultural farming systems in products, market infrastructures communities with no road development, construction and access and intensifying renovation of rural roads. the production and enhances smallholders’ access to markets in First Eastern Zone Agricultural project communities with road Budget: 6.6 million US$ access. Beneficiaries: 21, 730 HHs Area: 6 eastern Dzongkhags Focus: develop renewable natural resources, rehabilitation of irrigation, institutional support and capacity development.
www.carlep.gov.bt 30 Stories of Change CARLEP
Insights from Dungmanma Jersey Sochong Detsen in Martshala Namgay Wangchuk, EA Martshala and Karma Phuntsho
Jersey Cattle and Cattle shed support by CARLEP Located at 81km away from the Dzongkhag female, 20 male) united together to form a Headquater, Martshala gewog of samdrup dairy group to solve the individual market- Jongkhar is one of the far-flung gewogs, ing issues and also to expand the capacity whose majority population depends on of dairy farming. Thus, on 11th November agro-livestock farming as the main source 2010, Dungmanma Jersey Sochong of livelihoods. The small self-help dairy Deteshen was formed, which later on was group called the Dungmanma Jersey registered under Regional Agricultural and Sochong Detshen plays a vital role in the Marketing Cooperative Office (RAMCO). household income generation and com- Production and income status of the munity development given the religious group sentiments as far as poultry, piggery and fishery farming are concerned. The milk collection by the Dungmanma Jersey Sochong Deteshen is done twice The rationale for the formation of the a day. The morning milk collection starts dairy group as early as 6:00 am from the dairy group Despite the commendable potential and members of Thrizor, Gyelwoong and the interests of the farmers of Martshala Gorthongma villages. The morning milk gewog to take up commercial dairy of about 120 liters is then transported farming, limited accessibility to the market to the local markets of Martshalla and has impeded them. Individual marketing of Phuntshothang town and are sold as a the dairy products was costly because of fresh milk at Nu. 40/liter. the higher transportation costs. Similarly, the collection of evening milk Therefore, a total of 25 members (5 31 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii starts from 4:00 pm every day from the The formation of the dairy group provided same group. However, the milk collected the dairy farmers of the gewog a reliable in the evening is processed to cheese and and sustainable source of income gener- butter. Every day, an average of 70 liters of ation. The dairy group members earn an milk is processed in the Dungmanma Milk income ranging from Nu. 10000-18000 Processing Unit. The products are sold every month. at Nu. 300/kg of butter and Nu. 25/ball of In addition, as of April 2018, the group has cheese. Figure 1 and 2 shows the produc- accumulated a saving oft Nu. 50,000/- in tion status of the group in 2017-18 FY. their common account which is maintained
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000 Quantity of Milk (liters) 500
0 July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June
Milk sold milk process Figure 1. Milk production for FY 2017-2018 (till April)
2500 80 74 67 70 2000 1993 60 1908 50 53 46 48 1460 1460 50 1500 44 43 1395 1370 1400 1360 45 45 40 32 1259 1000 1044 30 802 802 20 500 Butter Produced (Kgs) 10 Cheese production (No. of Balls) 0 0 July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June
cheese produced butter produced Figure 2. Butter & cheese production for FY 2017-2018 (till April) www.carlep.gov.bt 32 Stories of Change CARLEP with the Bhutan Development Bank Limited at a subsidized rate were also supported to (BDBL). Each member contributes Nu. the group members. 100/- a month as a membership fee and In addition, towards enhancing the produc- the money is accounted in the common tivity, a total of 11 high-yielding crossbred saving. This money shall be used in the cows were imported from India and were case of emergency issues like natural provided to the group members on a sub- hazards that may possess the risk to their sidized rate. Installation of the biogas and dairy resources (cattle, sheds, pasture the development of the pasture land were land etc). also supported from CARLEP. Similarly, the group members own a Conclusion pick-up bolero for the transportation of the dairy products to the market. The The demand for the fresh milk and the bolero is purchased from their common dairy products is rising with the growth saving without any loan. A monthly salary of population (incoming of more civil ser- of Nu. 10,000 is paid to the driver by the vants and growth of private sectors) at group. However, the executive members Samdrupcholing Dungkhag. However, the (Chairman, Secretary, and the Treasurer) only dairy group of Dungmanma is current- do not get any monetary benefits. ly having time to meet all the demands. Thus, the group is planning to collect the While the Dzongkhag and the Gewog milk from nearby villages despite the poor Livestock sectors continuously provide the road connectivity and scattered settlement. technical support to the group members, This new initiative of collecting milk from especially regarding the clean milk produc- the nearby villages is expected to bring tion, improved animal husbandry, improved further win-win situation; both to the group pasture land, the input supports are pro- and the dairy farmers. vided by the donor-funding agencies like CARLEP. Today, the Dungmanma dairy group serves as the center for any livestock development CARLEP made a various investment in planning and activities, which is one of the the group since 2016-17FY. All the group most reliable and sustainable sources of members who initially sheltered their cattle livelihoods in the village. in open areas or inside the traditional sheds were replaced by the improved cattle sheds. The improved cattle shed was supported not only to opti- mize the productivity of the animals but also to ensure the welfare and the hygienic conditions. Similarly, the con- struction of improved cattle sheds contributed to the re- duction of the age-old prac- tice of open grazing which is Fresh cheese processed by the group environmentally harmful. The chaff cutters
33 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Producer-Trader Linkage enhances Vegetable Production and Marketing at Ballam Sangay Choeda, CM VCM, OPM
A formal agreement was drawn between producer (farmers) and traders. facilitated by OPM and RAMCO Agriculture sector continues to encourage production and the market demand. The and plough in resources to enhance pro- farmers’ expecting of high price and the duction of local vegetables through farm scattered production sites also contribute inputs and technical support to uplift the to the cause inflicting higher operational rural income and livelihood and to realize cost. the goal of self-sufficiency. The production The linking of traders with the producer though in numerous and scattered pockets groups is identified as one of the key ap- has picked up and many new production proaches under CARLEP to reduce the groups continue to form and significantly gap. The approach provides vegetable contribute to the rise in the production producers the assured market at pre- volume. With the increase in production, agreed commodity-wise farm-gate rates. the marketing is always seen as a chal- This impacts positively to stabilizing the lenge given the approach being produc- commodity price and offers the opportuni- tion driven. The local traders choose to ty to upscale the vegetable production as opt for imported vegetables which comes the market remains assured. cheap with required volume easily met. This creates an even larger gap between The vegetable production groups; Singye the production and marketing ends. The Sanam Detshen (Jadung) and Baka issues with regard to marketing persist Sanam Detshen (Bakaphai) under Ballam because there is a mismatch between the Gewog consisting of 17 and 23 www.carlep.gov.bt 34 Stories of Change CARLEP members respectively (all women) are It also resulted in an increase in the pro- focused under this approach directly ben- duction forecast substantially. The follow- efiting 40 HHs. The members normally ing figure illustrates the agreed commodity market the produce individually apart from wise weekly production volume during the occasional collective marketing as per their season ranging from June to September. convenience. Most do not engage in the Table 1: Agreed farm gate price for each bulk production of vegetables due to lack commodity of assured market. The groups provide with a combined vegetable production Vegetable Agreed farmgate area of about 13 acres. rates/Kg (Nu.) The two vegetable groups were identified Summer Winter based on the production potential, pro- Chilli (Fresh) 35 80 gressiveness and strategic location with Cauliflower 15 30 support from Dzongkhags and Regional Cabbage 9 17 Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives Beans 20 50 Office (RAMCO). The selection was also Carrot 20 30 driven by the idea to encourage women’s participation in the vegetable value chain. Simultaneously, a vegetable trader for **The off-season vegetable production and the purpose was identified. A coordina- marketing will be led by the trader and it’s tion meeting followed the identification subject to the success of the current approach. process wherein the vegetable groups’ production and trader’s intake capacities The vast difference in the production both qualitatively and quantitatively was volume is attributed to the lack of assured assessed and agreed. A baseline data was market previously. The farm-gate rates for also acquired to assess the impact of the the selected commodities have also been approach. Dzongkhag with support from agreed (table 1) based on the cost of pro- other implementing partners was entrusted duction plus certain premium percentage to oversee the production support initially to assure farmers are always profited irre- with the trader to take-over through follow- spective of the market fluctuation. ing production seasons. The Dzongkhag This is a significant step towards incul- had already supported the groups with the cating the marketing dynamics to farmers seeds with close reference to the trader’s and to aid shift the idea from production demand. For continual market assurance driven marketing to market-led production. of vegetables and to directly encourage During the course of the implementation, the trader at times of market crises, the in- on a need basis, the capacity of the pro- centives (purely need-based) in the form of ducers will be enhanced by way of hands- providing transport subsidy and Minimum on training on production and post-harvest Support Price (MSP) were devised. The handling led by the trader. The impact of point of collection for trader’s access to the the programme intervention and its con- required volume in a single location was tribution towards the rise of the income or also identified. production volume will be monitored and The approach resulted in the commitment evaluated. from both production groups and the trader. 35 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
The farmers will have produced the select- for which the farmers were paid Nu. 31, ed vegetables in the needed quality, volume 070.00, which is about Nu. 15,000 per MT. at the right time as agreed and will bring The event directly benefited 40 HHs along them to the identified collection points from with 3 additional farmers (2 female and 1 where the trader will do his part paying the male) from outside of the focused groups pre-agreed farm-gate rates. The effectual who also took opportunity to market their execution of backward-forward linkages is vegetables. expected thereof. If proved successful, the During the operation, the need to identi- similar approach will be replicated in other fy two separate collection points for two production areas. groups was strongly felt where in the long Accordingly, the identified trader on 1st run, if the arrangement continues to be August 2018 started buying the vegeta- successful a collection shed with storage ble produce from the focused groups as facilities can also be established. Further, agreed on a predetermined rates. The the farmers need to be provided with transaction under the arrangement includ- hands on handling and post-harvest man- ed over 2.23 MT of vegetables comprising agement training to improve the quality of of cabbage, beans, carrots and potatoes the produce.
Farmers harvesting cabbage to be sold to trader www.carlep.gov.bt 36 Stories of Change CARLEP
Market Linkage of Deptsang-Denphu FG through School Linking Program Thinley Wangmo, EA, Serthig gewog.
Vegetable cultivation under low-cost poly house Agriculture sector contributes to 16.8 % At the altitude ranging from 1100 to 1300 of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is masl, Deptsang and Denphu village are considered as one of the most important located at 18km away from the gewog sectors with the farming community com- center. The farmers practiced the subsis- prises of 60% of the Bhutanese popula- tence farming with minimal surplus produce tion. The Department of Agriculture and sold to the border towns of India until 2015 Marketing Cooperatives (DAMC) in collab- when the vegetable producers’ group with oration with the Department of Agriculture 57 members (29 and 28 members respec- (DoA) adopted the idea of groups and co- tively from Deptsang and Denphu village) operatives formation to enhance agricultur- was formed. In the two years of forming al production and marketing. The schools the group, the production substantially in- were identified as immediate markets for creased which led the Regional Agricultural groups and cooperatives formed. The Marketing Cooperative Office (RAMCO) school linkage program ensured with the to facilitate the linking of Vegetable group ready market encouraging farmers to take with the Menjiwoong Central School for up semi-commercial farming. assured market. Linking of Deptsang-Denphu Vegetable An agreement and the terms of reference Group to Menjiwoong Central School 37 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii were drafted between the two parties to Through the promotion of vegetable com- ensure a smooth and formal flow of trade. mercialization activities such as the for- The farmers agreed to produce 17 different mation of the farmers’ groups and linking kinds of vegetable items that the school these groups to the school, CARLEP demanded and the price for each item aims to provide long-term, sustainable were consensually fixed. The table below and multi-impacts to everyone involved shows the details of vegetables sold by the in the circle. For instance, in addition to group to school in 2017. benefiting both the farmers and the school fraternity out of school linking program, the Within a year of market linking with individual students are also benefitted. The the school, the group members could students get to consume fresh and locally supply about 38.38 mT of various veg- produced vegetables which will enhance etables earning Nu. 458,798 (Ngultrum their nutritious status. This vegetable Four hundred fifty-eight thousand Seven group currently feeds about 600 students. hundred ninety-eight only) excluding the 23 mT of excess vegetables sold to other Thus, CARLEP has provided various markets. Each member earned an average production inputs routing through the income of Nu. 18,788.5 (Ngultrum Eighteen Agriculture Research and Development Thousand Seven hundred eighty-eight and Center (ARDC), Dzongkhag and Gewog five chhetrum only) solely from the sale of Agriculture Office and RAMCO. The group vegetables to the school. received poly houses, watering cans, syntax and the greenhouse in addition to Support services received by the group the member’s capacity development train- from CARLEP ing on vegetable production techniques, Table 1: Details of vegetable sold to School by the Group
Item Denphu Deptshang Nu/kg Total income (kg) (kg) (Nu) Potato 6462 6850 22 157162 Cabbage 3100 3372 20 70540 Raddish 1020 1230 15 19470 Chilli 650 737 70 52240 Saag 876 1302 15 20406 Carrot 1035 1102 25 28585 Cauliflower 70 89 20 1850 Pumkin 2250 2413 10 26380 Broccolli 139 250 30 7639 Cucumber 780 686 10 7640 Spuash 320 292 10 3240 Ginger 166 110 50 5666 Bitter guard 32 40 1280 Beans 1200 1850 30 56700 TOTAL 18068 20315 458798 www.carlep.gov.bt 38 Stories of Change CARLEP
organic agriculture and onion cultivation. produce at a comparatively lower price. Leading constraint in the group Conclusion Despite the huge vegetable production po- This linkage has helped farmers generate tential and favorable agro-ecological zone, income who in the past didn’t earn a penny water scarcity is currently the leading con- from working in the vegetables. Similarly, straint. The drinking water is insufficient the dryland which in the past was either left to irrigate the vegetable field. This water fallow or underutilized is now brought under scarcity has largely impeded the farmers vegetable cultivation. Currently, a total of to switch onto large-scale cultivation of the about 17 acres of dry land in Deptsang vegetables. and Dephu are utilized for the vegetable production. Moreover, the school linking Further, the promotion of the winter vege- program has also eased the school without table cultivation has led to the production having to transport the vegetables from the of a huge volume of vegetables during distant markets and students are fed with the non-schooling season. This is further the locally produced vegetables which are aggravated by the absence of proper essential to enhance the nutritional status. market sheds and infrastructures, which is ultimately leading the farmers to sell their
Vegetable cultivation by group members in respective land
39 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
The impact of pipeline irrigation for vegetable production in Dungmaed Dorji Wangchuk, EA Dungmead gewog
Distribution tank constructed above the farmers’ field Dungmaed village is located at 63 km away beneficiaries. from Pemagatshel Dzongkhag, which is With the completion of pipeline irrigation on the midway to Nganglam Dungkhag. construction, a total of 32 acres of land The village has 43 households with gentle which was initially left fallow or with the dry land topography suitable for agricul- very little use for cultivation was revived ture commercialization. However, the for vegetable cultivation. Each household water scarcity in the village has limited cultivated in minimum of 0.20 acres and the farmers from any intensive agriculture maximum of 2.00 acres. The production activities. Further, the current land which of of cole crops, root crops and potato used to be wetland some 30 years back increased significantly after irrigation fa- has remained fallow due to water shortage. cilities and earned more than 1.7 million In 2016-2017 with the fund support from with the total production of 7.49 tones as Commercial Agriculture and Resilient compared to 3.3 tones besides radish and Livelihoods Enhancement Program green leaves (figure 1). The produce is (CARLEP) and RGoB, Gewog Agriculture marketed to Ngalam Central School and Extension Office in collaboration with other nearby towns Dzongkhag Agriculture Office coordinated For effective and efficient utilization of the the construction of 6 km pipeline irriga- irrigation water, a drip irrigation system was tion. While the constructions materials like installed in the common nursery for raising pipes, cement, and other raw materials seeds and seedlings. The individual field is were borned from CARLEP and RGoB, the irrigated using sprinkler system. For better labor force requirement was contributed by www.carlep.gov.bt 40 Stories of Change CARLEP management and sus- tainability, they have 4500 4025 also instituted Water 4000 3321 User Association. 3500 3000 2364 Similarly, the Gewog 2500 Agriculture Extension 2000
Officer revealed that Production (kg) 1500 990 the production of vege- 1000 148 table per acre for cole 500 8 0 crops and potato has Cole crops Carrot Potato drastically increased Before irrigation After irrigation with the reliable irriga- tion. Table 1 compares Figure 1: Production (kg) before and after the production of major cultivated vegeta- the irrigation facilities bles before and after irrigation facilities. our farmers. Reliable irrigation water supply is crucial for agriculture farming to boost the produc- Further, to use the available water effi- tion and productivity to uplift the livelihoods ciently, the drips and sprinklers system of farmers. Hence the CARLEP supports was installed as these technologies are on pipeline irrigation under efficient irriga- cost-effective and user-friendly. tion program was timely and has benefited
Farmers field being connected by HDPE pipe to distribution tank
41 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
New Resilient Vegetable Varieties for Commercialization Sonam Pelden, Loday Phuntsho1, Sonam Tashi2 and Duptho Wangmo3
Vegetables play a significant role in human Express-50 and one short duration Radish nutrition, especially as sources of vitamins, Variety Hybrid 35 Days was successfully minerals, and dietary fiber. With greater tried at ARDC Wengkhar (1650 masl) and awareness on the healthy dietary patterns, ARDSC Lingmethang (650 masl). the year-round demand for the vegetable Usually, Cauliflower is produced from the is increasing in Bhutan. Similarly, pro- end of September to February but evalua- duction has increased in the market but tion of new heat-tolerant Cauliflower vari- availability is only seasonal, and during eties provides the promising result as they off-seasons, vendors import vegetables can be produced in peak summer season. from India to fulfill the consumer demand. Similarly, Radish variety 35 Days can be Climatic conditions, especially tempera- successfully produced in the hot summer ture and light intensity, have a strong effect season in much shorter duration than on the vegetable production. In Bhutan, it normal varieties (Table 1). New resilient has been observed that over the last two varieties of Cauliflower and Radish can be and half decades, the temperature has further expanded in the farmers’ field for risen by about 0.3-0.5˚C. In order to adapt commercialization, which will help them to changing climate and diversify vegeta- produce during offseason and boost their ble production in different agro-ecological income. Vegetable resilient to climate, zone, there is a need to look for varieties pest, and diseases provides more choices beyond the existing ones. to the farmers and has the potential for Resilient vegetable variety is crucial for staggered production. crop diversification. Hence, the Agriculture These new resilient varieties can further Research and Development Centre be promoted through CARLEP supports in (ARDC) Wengkhar has introduced and commercialization of vegetables and pro- evaluated a number of heat tolerant and motion of climate resilient crops. short duration vegetable crop varieties that can be grown during the off-season with the support from the EU-GCCA project for 1 - Deputy Cheif, Horticulture, ARDC climate change. Two heat-tolerant vari- Wengkhar eties of Cauliflower Pragati-40 and White 2 - Horticulture Officer, ARDC Bajothang
Table 1: Performance of stress tolerant varieties
Crop Variety Sowing Time Seed rate / Fresh yield/ Remarks acre (Kgs) acre (Tons) Radish Hybrid 35 March-April 3.0-4.0 2.0-3.0 Heat tolerant Cauliflower Pragati 40 March-April 0.2-0.0 4.0-5.0 Heat tolerant Cauliflower White express 50 March-April 0.2-0.0 4.0-5.0 Heat tolerant www.carlep.gov.bt 42 Stories of Change CARLEP
Land Use Certificate engages youth in farming – a case of Gulibi Youth Group Pema Khandu, EA, Menjey gewog With an increasing rural-urban migration particularly among youth, declining farm labor and increasing unemployment, the need to engage youth in farming has become important. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forest (MoAF) and National Land Commission (NLC) under the Royal Project began youth engage- ment LUC (Land Use Certificate – a new form of land use.) In the LUC scheme, the users can use the allocated state land under a use right system and use the land for commercial farming following a proper land utilization plan. The LUC Gulibi under Menjey gewog of Lhuentse Dzongkhag is one of the first pilot sites that began farming in 2017. Currently, a group of 15 youth (14 female and 2 male) is registered as Gulibi Nazhoen Sonam Tshongdrel Detshen by the Regional Agricultural and Marketing Office (RAMCO) as per the Cooperative Youth of Gulibi, Minjay enaged in Chili Act of Bhutan, 2009 and the Cooperatives plantation in LUC Rules and Regulations of Bhutan, 2010. enabled establishment of the site, the production supports such as greenhouse With the support of RGoB Land Use for nursery raising, irrigation equipment Certificate fund support facilitated through (sprinkles, pipes) seeds and seedlings and the National Land Commission (NLC) and the capacity development of the members relevant development support programs of were supported from CARLEP through Ministry of Agriculture and Forest (MoAF), ARDC, Dzongkhag and the RAMCO. the Dzongkhags, ARDC and RAMCO These agencies organized demonstra- began the commercial farming initiatives. tions, field days, trainings on cultivation The NLC and the Dzongkhag Agriculture practices, and assisted marketing of farm Sector supported land development (land produce. Various exposure trips to re- clearing and terracing) with machiner- search centers and the progressive com- ies from Central Machinery Unit (CMU), mercial farms were also organized. making the land feasible for fam mecha- nization. Electric fencing and barbed wire Gulibi Nazhoen Sonam Tshongdrel fencing were also installed to protect from Detshen had their first chilli harvest wildlife encroachment into the field. on 18th July 2017. A total of 150kg of chilli was harvested and marketed to While the RGoB-LUC fund supports Gyalposhing, Mongar at rate of Nu.70 per
43 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii kg. Subsequently, upland paddy, soybean, production. Similarly, due to limited techni- and cole crops were harvested in the same cal knowledge and the past experiences, year as reflected in Table 1. The group the youth often face pest and diseases challenges. The initial stage of operation also faced the challenges of group cohesion and decision making. However, mutual un- derstanding and consultation among themselves and the technical facilitations of the support agencies enabled them to enhance their group dynamics. With the current situation of rural-urban migration, decreasing farm labor and in- creasing youth unemployment, Land Use Certificate reform has put in an opportunity to engage the youth in farming and begin to promote commercialization of farming. While it will take a while for the youth to adopt the practice and begin to gear towards entrepreneurship, consistent support, guidance and monitoring will play a major role in narrowing to few poten- tial commercial crops over an expanded scale of production. The LUC program earned Nu. 120,110/- from the vegetables has enabled gainful engagement and have alone in the first year of its establish- chances to transform into commercial ment, and, the group were exposed to the farming model. concept of commercial farming; although Table 1. Production data of 2017. coverage was far too low to be called com- mercial farming. Crops Approximate Production (Mt) A gradual upscaling and expan- area (Ac) sion was planned at the initial Cabbage 0.3 0.91 stages. The establishment activ- Cauliflower 0.4 0.78 ities took most of the time and the focus to farming was low. Broccoli 0.3 0.78 However, with the more experi- Bean 0.1 1.2 ences gained over the year, the Chili 1 1.8 youth group is now focusing to Upland paddy 5 9.1 fewer crops on a larger scale. Soya-bean 0.7 0.25 According to the group members, Asparagus 1.5 the present LUC location has high Cardamom 0.37 humidity and receives heavy rain- fall in summer affecting vegetable Passion fruit 2 www.carlep.gov.bt 44 Stories of Change CARLEP
Transforming life- a story of youth dairy group at Jamkhar Chekey1, Lungten Lungten, Penden Dorji2, Sangay Cheda3
Jersey cow and Cattle shed of Nazhoen Gonor Yarphel Tshogpa Youth unemployment is one of the trending few years after they dropped out from national issues, which apparently arises the school and couldn’t qualify for higher from limited employment opportunities and studies from tenth grade. Their parents mismatch of the job skills against the in- couldn’t afford to send them to the school dividual competencies. Many prefer white either. For the first few years, this youth collar job making agricultural sector a least just remained home helping their parents. preferred option. However, with the continuous support, However, with the infusion of various input encouragement, and motivation from their supports from the Government and other parents and the neighbors to start a com- related agencies to make the agricultural mercial dairy farm, the youth decided to works attractive, the youth are gradually form group on 21st May 2017. finding their pace in the commercialization The idea was then discussed with the of both vegetable and dairy farms. gewog administration who have forward- Setting the example of a successful youth ed the matter to the Dzongkhag Livestock group in dairy farming is the six youth (3 Sector. Following, officials from the male, 3 female) of the Nazhoen Gonor Dzongkhag Livestock Sector had conduct- Yarphel Tshogpa – a commercial dairy ed a feasubility study and proposal was farm at Jamkhar village in Trahiyangtse evaluated. The each member avail the Dzongkhag. loan of Nu. Nu. 1, 00000/- as the seed money from REDCL (Rural Enterprise History of the Nazhoen Gonor Yarphel Development Cooperation Limited). Tshogpa The six youth remained at the village for Activity sequel
45 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
With support from Dzongkhag Livestock villager and helps them to market. The sector and RAMCO, bylaws was drafted village has 24 households and of which, and agreements was drawn by the 15 households sell their products to the member. The 7 acres of leased land group. The youth group buy cheese at was was cleared and dairy sheds was Nu. 20/ball and butter at Nu. 240/kgs from constructed with support from CARLEP, the villagers and sells at Nu. 30/ball and Dzongkhag Agriculture Office and the Nu.280/kg in the market earning approxi- Gewog Administration. mately Nu.9900. Overall, the total income of the group in a month is Nu. 46,680/-. The fuel charge for the excitation and clearing of the sites and the materials for Societal impacts of the group the construction of the dairy sheds was One of the many features making this youth supported from CARLEP. In total, CARLEP group ideal is its societal implications. The supported 108 numbers of CGI sheets, formation of the group has not only cast the 108 bags of cement, iron rods, a deep light upon the group members themselves freeze, 1 display refrigerator, 8 number of but also to the entire village of Jamkhar. milking cans, 3 numbers of cool box and a chaff cutter. Firstly, the seven acres of land which ini- tially was left barren by the private owners A fodder development with 40,000 Napier was leased by this youth group and con- slips, Ruzi and Pukchung and another verted into arable land. Similarly, the for- 20,000 number of ficus seedlings were mation of the youth group has provided grown with the labor contribution from the an assured market for the dairy products. neighbors and nearby villagers. The villagers who in the past had difficulty Exactly after nine months of establishing in marketing the dairy products and have the group, 12 numbers of Holstein Friesian been limiting only to the subsistence pro- cattle were sourced from Pemagatshel duction can now expand their production Dzongkhag at the total cost of Nu. 12, capacities. The youth group collects all the 00,000/-, wherein, 30% of the total cost dairy products from the villagers and does was borne from CARLEP. the collective marketing in the Doksum and the Trashiyangtse town. The products Paying off the hard works are also sold to the random buyers based Not so long after housing the cattle, the on their demand. youth started harnessing the dairy prod- In addition, the group will also function as ucts. As of May 2017, the milk production the source of breeding bulls and heifers in from six milking cattle was 1080 liters in the days to come, which will be supplied to a month. This quantity of milk produces about 750 balls of cheese and 51 kilo- grams of butter, which is sold at Nu. 30/ Table 1: Income statement of the group as ball and Nu. 280/ of 16th May 2017 kg respectively. Details Members Cheese/ Butter/ Income/ (Refer table 1). month month month In addition, the (balls) (litres) (Nu) group also col- Group 6 750 51 36780 lects cheese and Non-group 15 750 60 9900 butter from the www.carlep.gov.bt 46 Stories of Change CARLEP the villagers to curb down the unproductive only provided the members themselves cattle heads and reduce the costs incurred with the employment opportunities but it in outsourcing the improved cattle. has also exposed them to various oppor- tunities that are available in the agricultural The group will also maintain the fodder sector. Such dynamic youth groups will germplasm and supply to the villagers to contribute to the overall development of encourage the farmers to take up dairy the country as well as engage them fruit- farming on a commercial scale. The main- fully in the community development. They taining of germplasm for the fodder seeds have also potential to revive the communi- and distributing to the farmers shall be ty vitality as is the case in Jamkhar village taken as one of the additional or the sec- where all the villagers fully support the ondary business by the group. groups and the groups act as a focal point Conclusion for social cohesion. The success of such The formation of the youth group has not groups will be a source of inspirations for the other youth and will act as a center for any govern- ment developmental plans. Therefore, in the future, such youth enthusiasts should be provided the assistance that they require to explore their ideas and creativities. This will not only contribute in curbing down the national issues of unemployment but also contribute to the overall economic development of the country as a whole. Members of Nazhoen Gonor Yarphel Tshogpa 1, 4 - Dzongkhag Admin- istration, Trashiyangtse 2 - City Veterinary Hospital & Satellite Laboratory, Dewathang, Samdrup Jongkhar 3 - Geog Administration, Jamkhar, Trashiyangtse
Villager assisting the Youth group in fodder (Nepier) plantation 47 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Woman Leadership in Vegetable farming Karma Wangmo, GKMO, OPM
Aum Yangchen working in growing chili in her farm Yangchen, 52 is one among six farmers to other leafy vegetables. The vegetables who visited Thailand last year under the produced by these women are mostly sold support of CARLEP as a farmer represen- in Mongar town while the surplus is sold tative to explore the vegetable value chain. to the Gyalposhing school. On an average, The exposure trip was her first-time experi- the group members earn income ranging ence. “I was fortunate enough to represent from Nu. 50,000 to 3,00,000 in a year from the farmers of the east in outside country the sale of vegetables. and also learn lots of improved technolo- Taking up the leadership role in this com- gies especially the post-harvest and the mercial vegetable production, Yangchen product diversification of vegetables,” she has become one of the progressive said. “There are lots of things that we can farmers of the gewog. “I didn’t go to formal replicate in our country like the product schooling but that doesn’t impede me in display and packaging.” She added. doing what I can do.” She said. “For the Yangchen is from Wangling village in record keeping, I often ask help from my Mongar gewog of Mongar Dzongkhag. grandchildren who are going to school.” She is the leader of ‘Wangling Sonam Yangchen and her family of six including Tshesey Tshogpa’ formed in 2011 with 10 her husband, a daughter, son-in-law and women farmers. Under her leadership, their two grandchildren work in the six these women members grow all kind of acres of their family-owned land. While seasonal vegetables in their individual the four acres from the total land is used land. The nursery raising and marketing is for growing cereals (maize) and fruit crops collectively done in the group. (citrus, pears, peach), the other two acres According to Yangchen, potato and chilli is solely reserved for the vegetable cultiva- are the most preferred vegetables the tion. The family grows all kind of seasonal women in the group grows. It is particu- vegetables, concentrating more on chilli, larly because of the higher demand in the which according to her is more profit- market and higher shelve life compared able. She said, “I and my family www.carlep.gov.bt 48 Stories of Change CARLEP
prefers growing chilli over other vege- 2016. This is particularly because of the tables because chilli has more demand greenhouse and the capacity building in the market. Moreover, I can apply my trainings that they received from CARLEP. knowledge of drying chilli under the plastic The greenhouse has made them easier to shades which I have learned from my visit raise the saplings for winter vegetables. to Thailand.” However, the scarcity of the irrigation water has been In 2017, Yangchen’s impeding these farmers family made the gross from the large-scale winter income of Nu. 1,80,000 vegetable production. solely from the sale of vegetables, of which, Therefore, the construc- more than 50% of the tion of the storage tanks total gross income is currently underway in was from the sale of the village with the funding green chilli. Similarly, from CARLEP. A total of every year, Yangchen’s 14 storage tanks, one family makes an annual tank each for all the vege- income ranging from Nu. table group members are 1,00,000 – 1,50,000 from planned to be constructed. the sale of vegetables Yangchen With the completion of the since the family started growing vegeta- water storage tank construction, Yangchen bles on a large scale in 2011. and her group expects to increase the veg- etable production. Prior to 2011, Yangchen’s family used to grow vegetables only for the household Further, to avoid any uncertainty risks consumption. However, with the promo- associated with growing vegetables and tion of the vegetable commercialization depending the livelihoods solely on one interventions by various agencies such income source, Yangchen’s family has as ARDC, Wengkhar and the Dzongkhag 6 jersey heads and 30 numbers of layer Agriculture Office, Yangchen and her birds. family started the large-scale cultivation of “Integrated farming is more secure and the vegetables. profitable than concentrating on a single In 2016, Yangchen and her group income source,” said Yangchen. “While members received the greenhouse, and the dung and wastes from livestock can the production inputs (seeds, water sprin- be used to manure the vegetables and kles, pipes, plastic crates), capacity de- crops, the vegetable and crops residues velopment training (vegetable production, can be used to feed the animals, which is pest and diseases management and the a win-win situation for both the activities.” leadership training) from CARLEP through She added. Dzongkhag Agriculture Office which has Today, Yangchen is one of the progressive further encouraged them towards vegeta- women farmers and leads a women vege- ble farming. table group in the locality. According to Yangchen, the vegetable cultivation practices has increased from 49 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Transforming dreams into reality: Yangdhen Horticulture Farm
Ugyen Wangdi1 and Lhab Dorji2
Vegtable and fruit trees integrated in Yeshi’s Farm Yangdhen Horticulture Farm is located in rural Bhutan aimed to create employment, Jangdung under Saling Gewog of Mongar contribute to domestic agriculture produc- Dzongkhag. The farm is established by Mr. tion and set a model for others. An uphill Yeshi Wangchuk, 34 years, a graduate in task for a graduate but an amateur farmer Business Administration and former gov- with the high willingness to start a journey, ernment service employee. It all began many youths would not opt for. in India while studying; Yeshi got encour- The beginning aged by the active horticulture farming in the college vicinity and relating it to his An initiative to transform 4.5 acres an- own home was not difficult. An friend at cestral family land into a commercial college also encouraged him the same horticulture farm began in Jangdung. and thus began a dream of setting up a With technical advice and guidance from model commercial horticulture farm. Back ARDC Wengkhar, Mongar Dzongkhag and in Bhutan after his graduation, Yeshi was Geog Agriculture extension, avocados and further inspired by one of his brother who mangoes were identified as most suitable. had by then taken the advice of the ARDC Yeshi began clearing the land which was Wengkhar, DoA MoAF for reverting fallow left fallow due to labour shortage and land into commercial horticulture crops and carried out the orchard lay out and farm setting up a commercial farm in Jangdung. planning with help of ARDSC Lingmethang Finally it was in 2016, when Yeshi decided and the Geog Agriculture Extension. The to resign from his job in Administration and initial barbed wire fence was also replaced begin to follow his dream. with electric fence to cope up with the in- creasing human wild life conflict. This is a story of an educated youth who chose to follow his college dreams in A total of 200 avocado and 170 mango setting up an enterprise of his own back in seedlings were procured from the National www.carlep.gov.bt 50 Stories of Change CARLEP
two full time labor employed by the farm. Additional labours were hired during peak season and farm machineries are hired from the geog power tiller hiring services operated through FMCL and the Geog Agriculture Extension Centre. While fruits take few years of gestation, the farm following the technical advices of the service providers began integrat- Yeshi Wangchuk, 34 years from Saling ing seasonal crops like water melon and Seed Centre. However, the avocado seed- vegetables in orchard. Around 2 acres of lings were weak and small and did not watermelon and an acre of mixed vege- survive despite the appropriate care. With tables were cultivated and the products support from ARDC Wengkhar, seedlings mainly sold in Mongar, Lingmethang, were replaced from outreach nursery at Gyalposhing and even Bumthang. With Lingmethang. With support from Mongar this, Yeshi earns about Nu. 100,000. The Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector, Litchi locality is famous for Tegma production for and banana plantations were done. The which Yeshi cultivated some maize in the Dzongkhag also provided some produc- empty spaces and processed tegma and tion supports from the CARLEP – IFAD sold them to add to his income. About Nu. supports such as pipes, spraying equip- 40,000 comes from the tegma processing ment, sprinklers, cement and rods for that contributes to his farm income. dragon fruits to supplement what the farm Dreams begin to transform for Yeshi has procured for the project to start vege- Yangdhen Horticulture farm is just two table cultivation. years old and most of the fruit plants are in About Nu. 600,000 were spent to estab- the growing stage. As of August 2018, he lish the farm mainly in land development, has around 185 avocados with few plants fencing, purchase of irrigation materials, already bearing fruit. The dragon fruit also labour and other production inputs exclud- started bearing and he expects some 50 ing the supports received from the agen- % of fruit plant will come into bearing from cies under MoAF. 2019. All his 164 mango trees survived. In 2017, Yeshi extended his plantation Likewise, 267 passion fruits, 38 bananas with the plantation of 300 Dragon fruits and 25 litchis are all growing well. The 4.5 supported from the ARDSC Lingmethang. acres land is now getting a new look as In 2018, around 300 numbers of passion clearly seen from a distance. fruits was planted with seedlings from The farm located not far from the highway ARDC Wengkhar. Quinoa, a new cereal and other agencies who provided support which was gaining popularity in the region to the establishment and continue to guide was also taken up on a trial basis with the enterprise is also frequented by many ARDSC Lingmethang and Saleng Geog visitors, who provides a lot of encour- Agriculture Extension Centre. agement for Yeshi Wangchuk. Amongst Mr. Yeshi Wangchuk engaged himself for various visitor, Yangdhen Farm has been all regular farm activities assisted by his fortunate and honoured to receive on 2nd 51 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
November 2016, HRH, The Gyaltshab Nu. 500,000 was approved at the followed by HE Agriculture Minister on current lending rate with which, 3rd April 2017 and HE Lyonchen and Yangdhen Horticulture will be ini- the National Assembly Speaker on 2nd tiating an expansion and strength- July 2017. Dasho Dzongdag of Mongar, ening program i.e. Program Director of ARDC Wengkhar, expansion researchers, DAO Mongar, IFAD missions of farm by and several farmers from the region as another well from other Dzongkhags. 2 acres land leased Expanding the farm with Priority Sector from his neigh- Lending (PSL) bor for 40 years With the governments supports rural in which pine- credit for farm enterprises, Yangdhen apple, addi- Horticulture Farm, having exhausted all tional avocados the financial capitals explored for credit and mangoes Dragon fruit from Yangden facilities. With assistance from the ARDC will be planted Farm Wengkhar, a project for expansion of integrating the farm was developed for the Rural them with vegetables. Yangdhen Farm will Enterprise Development Corporation pay 2 % of the total income from the leased Credit under Revolving Fund-2. However, land to the land lord once production REDCL – RF 2 do not support any expan- begins. These fruits particularly mangoes sion of commercial farms, the proposal and pine apple will be sold to the Bhutan had to be revised with help of Dzongkhag Agro Industry which will soon begin opera- and was put up for PSL credit. A total of tions in the east from Lingmethang.
Yangden Horticulture Farm at Saling, Mongar www.carlep.gov.bt 52 Stories of Change CARLEP
Transforming dreams into reality, not young entrepreneur, the farm has high an easy task but seeing its day is not chances to see its day soon as most of far his initial establishments of fruits will come into bearing in 2019. Although only two Transforming dreams into reality is not an and half years into operation, it is already easy task according to Yeshi Wangchuk. started to generate income and for Yeshi, With increasing farm work, the farm despite it’s no turning back. having plans to employ more labors during peak season as well as full time in the While Yeshi Wangchuk is all set to begin coming years but getting labor has become his expansion and continue to transform difficult. Irrigation water for the farm which his dreams of setting up a sustainable Yeshi has to share with the local communi- commercial farm. A semi-permanent farm ty is yet another constraint. Efforts are un- house for the farm is also currently under- derway to help secure a steady source of way. Yangdhen Horticulture farm although irrigation water through storage and taking on a small scale is indeed an example for up effective water management technolo- others to see and learn. The Dzongkhag gies with the help of ARDC Wengkhar and and ARDC Wengkhar continue to provide Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector. Availing technical assistance and also send visitors credit was not easy for him. However, the particularly farmers and Youths to get the recent PSL intervention helped. first-hand information from growing com- mercial farm. Yangdhen Hortculture farm located at an strategic location with easy access to market, credit and technical inputs and 1- Component Manager (Agriculture) services from MoAF agencies, suitable CARLEP-IFAD. 2 - Program Director agro climatic conditions and driven by the ARDC Wengkhar strong dedication and willingness of an
53 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Lead farmer leads other in Shumar Sha Bdr Barakoti1, Lhap Dorji2 and Karma Wangmo
Cole crops cultivation by Aum Sangay in Shumar
Aum Sangay, 58, from Shumar gewog in and about Nu. 20,000 from groundnut Pemagatshel is one of the progressive annually. Further, the pears and banana and the exemplary women farmers in the altogether get about Nu. 20,000 annually. Dzongkhag. She is also one among the Moreover, the income source will further first batch of 26 lead farmers trained by the increase when the fruits plants (peach and Agriculture Research and Development pears) planted in about 0.5acres of land Center (ARDC, Wengkhar) in 2016-17FY. start starts fruiting from next year. Aum Along with her husband and two other Sangay established the integrated fruits family members, Aum Sangay works in and vegetables model farm after complet- about 5 acres of the family-owned land. ing the lead farmers’ course with ARDC The major farming focus is given on the Wengkhar under the project support. vegetable production. Aum Sangay and Today, with the three low-cost poly the family grows all kind of seasonal veg- house that she owns, she is one of the etables such as cole crops, beans, aspar- regular suppliers of fresh vegetable at agus, eggplant, and spinach. According to the Pemagatshel town. The low-cost poly Aum Sangay, she fetches about Nu. 2500- house, she said, are very helpful in en- 3000 per week from the sale of vegetable hancing the vegetable production through- during weekend market. out the year. “The three numbers of the Apart from the income from the vegetable low-cost poly house that I own are optimal- sale, Aum Sangay and her family also get ly used throughout the year for producing about Nu. 46,140 from the sale of Tengma various kind of vegetables.” (beaten corn) and Kharang (maize grit), As a lead farmer, Aum Sangay www.carlep.gov.bt 54 Stories of Change CARLEP also actively involves in sharing and dis- seminating the agriculture skills and tech- nologies with other fellow farmers. “Many farmers in my village even though are en- thusiastic in growing fruit trees, they lack the skills in grafting and pruning training. Thus, I help them in grafting and pruning training.” She said. Aum Sangay also promotes and favors commercial vegetable production over subsistence scale of farming. “Until 2012, I was also one of the many farmers who Aum Sangay, 58 from Shumar, used to grow the vegetables only for Pemagatshel self-consumption,” she said. “But after I became a member of Shumar Momsey caters to the weekend vegetable market Detshen, I realized the opportunities in of Pemagatshel and Nangkor town. The commercial vegetable farming and thus I group with 31 members (7 male and 25 took up commercial vegetable production female) was established in 2012. since then.”
Currently, Aum Sangay is one of the active 1 - Agriculture Extension, Shumar, P/Gatshel members of Shumar Momsey Detshen that 2 - Programme Director, ARDC Wengkhar
Aum sangay cultivates chilli under low-cost poly house
55 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
Farmers’ study visits enhance the adoption of new farming practices Dorji Wangchuk, EA Dungmead Farmers’ exposure tours and visits is one different farming tool and technologies. A of the effective means to impart them total of 14 (6 male, 8 female) progressive with the knowledge and skills of different farmers from the two gewogs participated farming techniques and technologies. in the program. Every year, the Agricultural sectors facili- At the ARDC, these farmers were intro- tate the farmers’ exposure tours and visit duced to various farming technologies such to the progressive and influential farms and as line sowing of vegetables, bed raising, the research centers to learn and share composting, grafting of the fruit trees, and their knowledge. nursery raising. From all these improved Moreover, the exposure visits to the technologies, the farmers showed more Agriculture Research and Development interest towards grafting technologies. Centre (ARDC) in 2017 by 14 farmers This is because, the farmers of these two of Dungmead and Dechenling gewog of gewogs has the fruits trees especially the Pemagatshel Dzongkhag was rationalized citrus, peach, and pears. However, due to by the limited confidence for the adoption limited technical skills in the tree handling, of new farming technologies introduced by the yield from their fruit trees are relatively the gewog agriculture offices. low and was of inferior quality. Moreover, the trees were more prone to pest and According to the report from the gewog ag- diseases. Thus, going back to the village, riculture office, some farmers are reluctant these farmers started adopting the grafting to adopt or take-up the new farming tech- skills that they learned during the exposure nologies introduced by the extension office visit. because they have limited confidence and they fear of failures. However, if the same The farmers firstly organized the knowledge farmers are made to visit the research and skill sharing meeting in collaboration centers and other progressive farmers that adopt the new farming technologies such as protected vegetable cultivation, grafted plants plantation, the farmers get the confi- dence to try out in their own field. Thus, CARLEP supports the mobilization and facilitation of farmers’ exposure tours and visits mainly to foster learning and sharing the knowledge on new farming tools and technologies so that they can replicate the good practices. The gewog agriculture office of Dungmead and Dechenling facilitated the farmers’ extension tours and visit to the Agriculture Research and Development centre (ARDC, Wengkhar) in 2017 to expose them to Farmers being trained on grafting at Wengkhar www.carlep.gov.bt 56 Stories of Change CARLEP with the respective gewog agriculture such as nursery raising in the polytunnels, office. They shared and disseminated the line sowing, and bed raising. Similarly, in skills and knowledge learned during the the past, farmers were reluctant about exposures visit to the other farmers who mulching the vegetables especially mulch- weren’t the part of the expo- Table 1: Numbers of successfully grafted fruit trees. sure visit. Fruit plant Wongborang Zimzore Pewangrap Total Following the meeting, village village village the farmers carried out Peach 9 6 8 23 the orchard development Plum 8 6 12 26 works, where they practi- Pear 10 3 2 15 cally did the top working, Total 27 15 22 grafting, pruning and thinning. The orchard ing the chilli plants. However, the exposure management was also conducted at visit has imparted the farmers with the ben- Woongborang, Zimzore and Pewangrap efits of mulching. Thus, mulching is largely villages. practiced especially by the chilli growers. Exactly at the two months after the first Farmers’ exposure tours and visit is an orchard management works at these three effective means of imparting the farmers villages as a part of the post-exposure visit, with the knowledge and skills about the the farmers were excited with the sprouting new techniques and technologies used in of vigorous new shoots. most of the plum modern farming. The visit also enhances and peach grafting and top-working were the farmers’ knowledge about various sup- successful. However, the success rate for ports and services provided by different the pears was a bit lower as reflected in institutions and agencies. Thus, the contin- table 1. ued funding assistance to this activity from Subsequently, the farmers also adopted CARLEP is found evident and important. the vegetable production technologies
Farmers from Dungmin being trained on ‘Fruit Tree training’ at ARDC Wengkhar
57 e-Mail : [email protected] MoAF & IFAD Issue ii
www.carlep.gov.bt 58 Office of the Programme Management Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP) Wengkhar, Mongar, Bhutan
Contact us at: Post box no. 146 Tele. No. 00975 04 641236 Fax No. 04 641237
e-Mail: [email protected] Visit us at: www.carlep.gov.bt Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CARLEP2016