Yak wool, once seen as a low-value byproduct of herding, is getting a new life through modern technology. With machines for washing, carding, dehairing, and spinning, the National Yak Farm in Haa processed its first batch earlier this month, producing high-quality fiber. The success has encouraged plans to scale up production, which the Department of Livestock says could earn Bhutan’s highland herders an estimated Nu 2.9 M annually.
Until recently, yak wool was largely ignored. In the past, herders would shear the animals with scissors or blades, producing coarse fiber often suitable only for ropes, rugs, or decorative items. Many highlander households relied instead on cordyceps and livestock for cash income.
“Until now, yak herders have used scissors to cut yak hair, as their families have done for generations. With this method, they have been making products like ropes, keychains, and bags, but the fiber tends to be coarse and rough to the touch,” said Golo Tshering, Manager, National Yak Farm, Haa.
That is now changing. For the first time, yak hair collected during the natural shedding season has been turned into fine, high-quality fiber using modern processing technology.
Led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation Bhutan, the National Highland Development Centre is working to build a sustainable yak wool value chain.
The process begins at herder huts, where fiber is carefully combed from yaks in May and June without causing harm. the animals. At the National Yak Farm, the raw hair is washed, hand-sorted, carded to align the fibers, dehaired to remove the rough guard hairs, and finally spun into yarn, ready for dyeing and finishing.
Officials say the machine-assisted process produces yak wool of a quality never seen before in the country, comparable to international yak wool standards. However, challenges remain.
“One of the challenges we face is securing enough yak hair. Even when we have the quantity, the quality is often insufficient because herders must go to higher altitudes, and collecting the wool is a process that takes weeks, not just days,” said Golo Tshering, Manager, National Yak Farm, Haa.
According to the FAO, for Bhutan’s 897 yak-herding households, the potential benefits are huge. The new machine-processed yak wool is said to be softer than sheep wool, and officials say it can be used to make high-quality clothing and premium textiles.
The Department of Livestock estimates that harvesting even half of the nearly 30,000 yaks annually could generate close to Nu 2.9 M in additional income. For the first harvest, the herders were paid Nu 700 per kilogram. However, officials say that they plan to improve both the quality of the wool and the price.
“Going forward, we plan to collect more yak wool and enhance its quality. Our goal is to support local producers, provide them with premium fiber, and gradually develop yak wool into a sustainable and thriving sector for the highlands,” added Golo Tshering, Manager, National Yak Farm, Haa.
With promising first results, officials are now planning to scale up production, develop branding, and connect herders to markets.
The finished wool will be showcased at the upcoming Royal Highland Festival, indicating a new chapter for Bhutan’s highland economy.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Sonam Pem
