In a significant move to bolster Bhutan’s agricultural landscape, the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited (FMCL) inaugurated a groundbreaking aggregation programme yesterday at Dzomlingthang in Guma Gewog, Punakha. The initiative, part of the broader Price Guarantee Scheme (PGS) and funded by the Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP), aims to provide farmers with stable markets, fair compensation, and enhanced support, thereby fostering a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Younten Phuntsho, presided over the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by Members of Parliament, government officials, local leaders, and numerous farmers from the region. The programme seeks to consolidate and distribute essential crops, ensuring that farmers receive minimum prices and are protected from volatile market fluctuations.
Dophum, a 42-year-old farmer from Guma Gewog, shared her enthusiasm for the programme. Having planted Kamtey rice this season, she plans to transition to high-value varieties such as Tan-Tsering and Nabja next year, a shift encouraged by the new aggregation initiative. “This programme provides us with the assurance that our hard work will be rewarded fairly,” Dophum remarked.
Under the PGS, nine priority crops have been identified, with FMCL managing six key varieties: soybeans, groundnuts, rice, wheat, maize, and quinoa. This year, the focus is on aggregating grains like maize, wheat, quinoa, and rice from Punakha, with plans to expand nationwide to all 20 dzongkhags next year. The targeted gewogs in Punakha include Guma, Kabjisa, Dzomi, Shengana, and Talo, aiming to engage 500 participants and collect approximately 4,300 kilograms of grains.
Wangda Dukpa, CEO of FMCL, emphasized the programme’s role in providing a reliable market for farmers. “By ensuring that there is a consistent demand for their produce, farmers are encouraged to increase their production. Our current focus on Tan-Tsering and Nabja rice is due to their high demand and substantial yield,” he explained. Dukpa also highlighted the stringent quality controls in place, including moisture and purity tests, to maintain high standards for the collected grains.
The programme leverages FMCL’s existing infrastructure, utilizing three designated warehouses in Bajothang (Wangduephodrang), Chhuzagang (Gelephu), and Phuntshothang (Samdrupjongkhar) as key collection points. Plans are underway to establish additional warehouses in Bumthang, Mongar, Samtse, Paro, and Trashigang to streamline the aggregation process further.
Farmers like Dema, another 42-year-old from Guma, expressed strong support for the initiative. “Transporting our produce to markets has always been a challenge due to high costs and limited buyers. This programme simplifies the process, making it easier and more economical for us to sell our crops,” she stated.
The aggregation programme not only addresses immediate challenges such as inconsistent pricing and high post-harvest losses but also contributes to long-term goals of food security and economic stability. By reducing Bhutan’s reliance on food imports, the programme promotes self-sufficiency and ensures that high-quality, locally sourced food products are available to consumers at affordable prices.
Founded in 2016, FMCL has been instrumental in mechanizing Bhutanese agriculture. Over the years, its mission has evolved to include crop aggregation and machinery manufacturing, aligning with national priorities to make agriculture more productive, profitable, and prestigious.
As the paddy harvest season progresses, the optimism among local farmers continues to grow. The aggregation programme promises not only to secure a stable income for farmers but also to enhance the overall sustainability of Bhutan’s agricultural economy. With collaborative efforts from government bodies, FMCL, and the farming community, Bhutan is poised to achieve greater heights in agricultural productivity and economic resilience.
