In a bid to reduce dependence on imported cooking oil and revive an age-old tradition, Punakha’s district administration has launched a large-scale initiative encouraging residents to grow mustard. The government has distributed mustard seeds valued at nearly one million ngultrum across all local gewogs, aiming to achieve up to 30 percent self-sufficiency in cooking oil production.
Nearly every household in the district has taken up mustard cultivation this season, with fields already showing promising signs of progress. In some villages, mature mustard plants are now in their ripening phase, while in others the crop is bustling in its flowering stage.
Local elders recall that mass mustard farming was a common practice among their ancestors, a tradition that gradually waned as villagers shifted to small-scale cultivation for personal consumption and increasingly relied on imported oil. Now, officials are determined to restore this heritage by supplying farmers with the necessary seeds – with the condition that the same amount of seeds is returned to the respective gewog office after harvest.
Farmers across the district have welcomed the initiative. Dema, a resident of Tsephu-Khawakha in Toewang Gewog, explained, “The market price for cooking oil is always on the rise. With the seeds provided by the agriculture office, we can now extract our own mustard oil using modern machines. Our task is merely to clean the seeds – making it much simpler than before. I have planted mustard on about 35 decimals of land this season.”
Pem, another local farmer from Bjibjo-Uesarkha in Toewang Gewog, expressed optimism about the program. “If we harvest a good yield, we can not only meet our own cooking oil needs but also generate extra income by selling the surplus. I plan to expand my cultivation next year, provided we avoid any issues with disease,” he said.
Despite facing some initial setbacks during the sowing period, Drali from Tsephu-Khawakha remains positive. “I managed to cultivate mustard on three terrains of my paddy field. I expect to produce enough oil to cover our household needs, with only a small purchase required for our annual ritual ceremony. Mustard farming requires minimal effort and can yield significant benefits,” he remarked.
Namgay Buthri, also from Tsephu-Khawakha, highlighted the financial advantages of the initiative. “Our family uses about three 5-litre bottles of cooking oil each month, which costs us roughly Nu 500 per bottle. Producing our own oil not only saves money but also helps us become more self-reliant. We are truly grateful to the government for their support.”
With the revival of mustard cultivation, Punakha is setting a promising example of how traditional practices can be reintroduced to meet modern needs, foster economic opportunities, and empower communities to take control of essential commodities.
