Five years after its inception, the Panbang Youth Cooperative (PYC) in Zhemgang is blossoming into a cornerstone for local food security and economic self-reliance. What began as a small vegetable cultivation initiative has rapidly expanded, driven by the passion and dedication of its young members.
Founded in 2019 by five university graduates, the cooperative has grown to include 23 vibrant young farmers under the leadership of Leki Chedup, a 32-year-old visionary. Situated on 14 acres of government-leased land in Andala, Ngangla Gewog, PYC cultivates a diverse array of crops, including vegetables, coffee, cereals, watermelon, and pineapples. Additionally, the cooperative is pioneering a hydroponic project with 150 units, showcasing their commitment to innovative agricultural practices.
“We are farmers by choice, learning by doing,” Chedup explains. “Our goal is self-sufficiency, contributing to the local, national, and even international economy.” This philosophy is evident in PYC’s robust supply chain, which delivers fresh vegetables to institutions like Panbang Primary School and Sonamthang Central School, as well as monasteries and various local communities.
Despite facing no significant marketing hurdles, PYC grapples with meeting the ever-growing demand within the community. To bridge seasonal gaps, the cooperative sources vegetables from higher altitude regions such as Paro, Thimphu, Wangdue, and Mongar during the summer months and imports supplies during the two-month lean season, ensuring a continuous flow of fresh produce.
Looking ahead, Chedup envisions expanding the cooperative’s fruit and coffee plantations on the remaining unused land. “Coffee plants take about three years to mature, but we anticipate some yields next year,” he notes. This expansion is part of PYC’s ongoing efforts to explore new agricultural methods and improve productivity.
Beyond crop cultivation, PYC operates a poultry farm housing approximately 2,000 chickens, which has supplied around 8 million eggs to areas including Panbang, Zhemgang, Nganglam, Gelephu, and Thimphu. The cooperative also manages three fish ponds stocked with over 28,000 fish, including common carp, grass carp, and 2,000 golden mahseer, poised for future harvests.
Financially, PYC generates between Nu 2 million and 3 million annually, with the hydroponics project projected to add an additional Nu 25,000. After salaries are covered, surplus funds bolster the cooperative’s reserves and security funds, reinforcing its financial stability.
Since its establishment, infrastructure development has been a priority for PYC. Although plans to distribute profit-based commissions to members are in place, such incentives have yet to materialize. Operating under a contract farming model, the cooperative partners with local farmers who cultivate maize and contribute 30 percent of their harvest to PYC, fostering a collaborative agricultural ecosystem.
However, the cooperative faces significant challenges, particularly from human-wildlife conflict due to its proximity to Manas Park. Efforts to protect crops with electric and chain-link fencing have met limited success, with wild boars, porcupines, and rats causing ongoing damage. “We were only able to harvest 40 percent of our maize crop,” Chedup admits, highlighting the persistent struggle against nature’s unpredictability.
Despite these hurdles, PYC remains resilient. The farm benefits from a reliable water source located two kilometers away and accessible by road, ensuring consistent irrigation and transportation. Support from organizations such as the Bhutan Foundation, UNDP Bhutan, the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives, the Green Climate Fund, and the Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector has been instrumental in PYC’s growth and sustainability.
As the Panbang Youth Cooperative continues to cultivate not only crops but also hope and resilience, it stands as a testament to the power of youth-led initiatives in driving community progress and achieving self-sufficiency.
