Friday, June 6, 2025
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy
ENG
DZO
BBSCL Logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
Radio Live
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo
Radio LIVE

Soyabean Fermentation Group, tale of a thriving community-run business

December 6, 2024
in Accidents, Business, Other Stories
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
0
SHARES
543
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Fermented soyabean, locally known as Libe Yidpa, is a traditionally valued plant-based food for Dechhenling residents in Pema Gatshel. The cherished food is bringing new hope to a group of farmers there. After years of struggle with poor harvests and limited production, the Shingchongri Soyabean Fermentation Group is experiencing better yields and higher income.

The group members are preparing to boil soybeans harvested from their fields.

While this year’s production is not up to their expectations, farmers are content with the improved yield compared to the previous years.

Sonam Wangmo, the Chairperson of Shingchongri Soyabean Fermentation Group said “The soyabean production was poor for the past three to four years, and we faced many challenges. But this year, the harvest has improved, and we are happy with the better production.”

Yuden, a group member said “In the past, we couldn’t harvest much. The plants died during the fruiting stage, and we didn’t get enough yield. This year, however, things are looking better. I’m happy because we’ve had a better harvest.”

The group starts by washing soybeans thoroughly before boiling.

They then immerse the beans in hot water and cook for more than three hours.

The entire process is done manually. However, according to the members, many of them are elderly, and the process is becoming increasingly difficult.

They are considering using a rice cooker in the future if it proves effective.

Yuden said “We face a lot of hardship collecting firewood and drying the beans. As women, it’s particularly challenging to gather firewood from the forest, so we have to hire labourers to help us.”

Dawa Seldon, another member said “Working in the smoke is tough. It irritates our eyes, and during the hot season, we also have to endure the heat of the sun and the fire.”

To ferment soyabeans, the group uses leaves of Canna Discolor, a perennial plant, which they believe enhance the flavour of the fermented soybean, which looks like cheese.

The beans are wrapped in the leaves and stored in a container for up to a week to ferment. Afterwards, the beans are crushed to complete the fermentation process.

The group members are determined to make their operation sustainable, as they face no issues with the market.

They are also encouraging their children to carry forward this age-old tradition.

Sonam Wangmo, Chairperson of Shingchongri Soyabean Fermentation Group said “As many of us are illiterate, it has been difficult to manage the business, especially when it comes to record-keeping and other tasks. That’s why we encourage our children to follow in our footsteps. We’ve already started the business, and they can continue it as a job opportunity.”

A group member, Dawa Seldon said “We always tell our children that it’s better to do something, to make your earning. Now, that the business is established, they can start producing directly. Some of them are willing to follow, while others are not as interested.”

The only challenge the group faces is in growing soyabean. They are open to purchasing soybeans from other sources.

However, they face difficulty in sourcing soyabeans locally, as many individuals in the community process them on their own.

The Shingchongri Soyabean Fermentation Group was established in 2012 and remains one of the oldest groups in the gewog.

Currently, the group consists of five members. They sell the fermented cheese for Nu 50 per ball.

Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel

Edited by Phub Gyem 

Previous Post

Sergithang farmers revive quinoa cultivation with renewed hope

Next Post

Socio-Economic Forum discusses how GMC will reshape country’s development

Next Post
Socio-Economic Forum discusses how GMC will reshape country’s development

Socio-Economic Forum discusses how GMC will reshape country's development

Thimphu Police investigate death of man in suspected burglary

Thimphu Police investigate death of man in suspected burglary

Contractors raise concerns over Procurement Rules and Regulations 2023

Contractors raise concerns over Procurement Rules and Regulations 2023

RECOMMENDED NEWS

Enough foreign reserves to meet essential imports for 13 months

Enough foreign reserves to meet essential imports for 13 months

2 years ago
5

Accident at Toeb Menchuna kills a taxi driver

13 years ago
2
Bhutan gains approval to fly to Myanmar

Bhutan gains approval to fly to Myanmar

9 years ago
2
National Happiness Day observed

National Happiness Day observed

7 years ago
10

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Accidents (14)
  • Agriculture (426)
  • Announcement (174)
  • Audience Survey Report (1)
  • Business (744)
  • Crime/Legal (367)
  • Culture (46)
  • Development (51)
  • Disaster (56)
  • Economy (276)
  • Education (412)
  • Entertainment (13)
  • Environment (60)
  • Feature (65)
  • Featured (6)
  • Festival (78)
  • GMC (14)
  • Headlines (6)
  • Health (622)
  • Legal (52)
  • Literature (9)
  • Livestock (75)
  • Media (25)
  • Other Stories (5,568)
  • Politics (419)
  • RCSC (1)
  • Recent stories (6)
  • Religion (45)
  • Sci/Tech (708)
  • Social (512)
  • Sports (449)
  • Technology (190)
  • Tourism (19)
  • Uncategorized (13,866)
  • Video (136)
  • Video Story (249)
  • Wildlife (42)

BROWSE BY TOPICS

Tender Announcement Vacancy Announcement

POPULAR NEWS

  • BPC’s investigation rules out transformer short circuit as Damchhu forest fire cause

    Viral video of Bhutanese man assaulted by locals and police in Jaigaon sparks safety concerns

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Gelephu Mindfulness City opens recruitment drive for Bhutanese professionals

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Newspaper accuses DPT candidate of political ploy

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A centenarian’s recipe to longevity

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Post-mortem confirms foul play: Progress in investigation of 24-year-old woman’s death

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
BBSCL

Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) is Bhutan’s primary national broadcaster, delivering diverse news and entertainment in multiple languages, fostering cultural understanding and public knowledge.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • NC’s Legislative Committee recommends new abortion exception in Penal Code Amendment
  • MPs question readiness as NA moves to ratify BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
  • Career choices made playful, MoICE launches interactive games for students
  • New guest house in Kolkata to support Bhutanese kidney patients on referral
  • Authorities crack down on cross-border fuel smuggling in Phuentshogling

News Category

  • Accidents
  • Agriculture
  • Announcement
  • Audience Survey Report
  • Business
  • Crime/Legal
  • Culture
  • Development
  • Disaster
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Feature
  • Featured
  • Festival
  • GMC
  • Headlines
  • Health
  • Legal
  • Literature
  • Livestock
  • Media
  • Other Stories
  • Politics
  • RCSC
  • Recent stories
  • Religion
  • Sci/Tech
  • Social
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Video Story
  • Wildlife
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.