In the hilly, terraced landscapes of eastern Bhutan, farmers are welcoming a timely boost to their agricultural efforts. The recent distribution of women-friendly mini power tillers in Monggar and Lhuentse is already transforming the way villagers prepare their fields, easing labor burdens and inspiring hope for better harvests.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in collaboration with the Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP), aims to strengthen rural livelihoods through mechanized farming. The machines were distributed on a cost-sharing basis, with each farmer contributing just over Nu 21,000.
For 52-year-old Sonam Choden of Masang-Daza village in Monggar, the mini power tiller has been a long-awaited change. Together with her husband, she is preparing their fields for the paddy transplanting season — this time, with less financial strain.
“In the past, we spent more than Nu 3,000 a day hiring power tillers and labourers,” she said. “Some charged Nu 1,000 for just a day’s work. We couldn’t save any money. That’s why I approached the gewog extension officer to help us get one of our own.”
In Monggar, 59 mini power tillers were distributed across 13 gewogs, while Lhuentse received 42 for seven gewogs. The compact machines, designed to be operated by women and navigate narrow mountain terraces, are proving ideal for the region’s geography.
Local farmers are optimistic that this step toward mechanization will result in increased crop yields and diversified farming. Ugyen Dorji, another farmer from Monggar, believes the new equipment will allow him to cultivate more than just subsistence crops.
“We’ve always grown vegetables to sell, but rice and maize are our main food,” he said. “With these machines, we can manage our time and land better. We’re planning to grow more vegetables now.”
Community leaders also see the initiative as a catalyst for rural economic growth. According to Sonam, the Gup of Saling Gewog, the timing couldn’t be better.
“There’s a steady demand for vegetables and fruits here, especially with His Majesty’s Gyalsung project in our locality,” he noted. “These power tillers will definitely encourage our farmers to increase production and meet the demand.”
As farmers across Monggar and Lhuentse roll into the season with their new equipment, there’s a shared sense of optimism that agriculture — the backbone of rural Bhutan — is entering a new chapter of resilience and self-reliance.
