In pursuit of Bhutan’s ambitious goal of becoming 100 per cent organic by 2035, a capacity-building programme was held in Tsirang. The training was aimed at strengthening organic agriculture and certification systems in the country. It was aligned with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s effort to transform the agrifood sector and promote high-value organic exports.
The five-day training brought together around 50 participants including farmers, processors, farmer groups and aggregators from across the country.
The programme was also intended to respond to persistent challenges such as pest and disease management, shortage of products to improve soil and plant health, and limited market opportunities for organic agriculture.
Tshewang Zangmo from Chhukha said, “We used to rely on all kinds of imported fertilisers and chemicals for farming. But this training taught us that we must prioritise quality over quantity. Since farm products must pass product testing for exports, I have now decided to stop using imported fertilisers. I will share the message with my fellow farmers in my community.”
Tshering Wangchuk Dukpa, a participant from Samtse said, “I learnt what is required to meet international standards and to follow the country’s guidelines and systems for exports. We also learnt the health-related risks if we don’t focus on organic agriculture. Now it is our responsibility to share these insights with others.”
Dechen Pelden, who is a participant from Trongsa said, “After attending the training, I realised we already have all organic manure resources in our communities. For example, we can use rice husk and all other unwanted materials to make manure at the village level. I have learnt that organic manures can help both farmers to produce quality organic produce and to reduce our dependence on imported fertilisers.”
Kinzang Dorji, the agriculture officer of the National Centre for Organic Agriculture said, “In Bhutan, the organic certification, the one that the National Centre for Organic Agriculture holds, is, the Local Organic Assurance System, which is basically a primary certification on organic and it is for domestic market only. And as per the third-party certification, which is done by the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, it is for domestic market as well as for the export market.”
Initially, Bhutan set the target of becoming 100 per cent organic by 2020 when the vision was launched in 2007.
However, during the National Organic Symposium in 2019, the deadline was pushed to 2035 due to significant challenges such as heavy reliance on imports and a low percentage of farmland certified for organic farming.
Such initiatives and growing awareness among farmers are expected to help achieve the goal on time.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
