Despite efforts to strengthen Bhutan’s agriculture sector, post-harvest losses continue to undermine farmers’ income and productivity. Stakeholders at a national workshop today say poor post-harvest management and underutilised cold storage facilities remain major challenges facing farmers and agri-entrepreneurs in Bhutan, hampering the country’s food self-sufficiency goal.
From mechanising farming to introducing high-yielding seeds, several initiatives are being rolled out to improve agricultural productivity.
But these initiatives do not bring about the expected outcome. Farmers lose up to 35 per cent of their vegetable produce to post-harvest losses before reaching the market and the consumers, according to a 2021 report by the Department of Agriculture.
While cold storage facilities have been set up across the country to address this problem, many remain underutilised.
This is because the seasonal nature of agricultural production makes it difficult for farmers to consistently use such facilities.
Thinley Namgay, the chairperson of the Khenrig Namsum Cooperative in Zhemgang, says rental cost of such facilities also adds to the issue of underutilisation.
“While the rental charge of cold storage itself is not high, when combined with electricity bills, it exceeds Nu 10,000 per month. Currently, production is low, but the storage is double the size of the actual produce, which results in higher overall expenses.”
He adds that when using the cold storage, farmers need to sign a two-month agreement with Food Corporation of Bhutan, whereby some wish to keep the products in the storage for only two weeks.
Participants attending the “Knowledge and Experience Exchange for Farm Cooperatives and Agri-entrepreneurs” workshop raised the need for more localized solutions. Some even suggested cold storage facilities be made available at the gewog level to improve accessibility.
“If the government could provide cold storage that farmers can actually afford, like subsidised power tillers, I believe it would greatly benefit those who work so hard,” said Cheku Dorji, the Executive Director of Lhomon Society, a registered CSO.
Currently in the country, there are approximately 25 cold storage facilities.
Apart from such facilities, agri-entrepreneurs also step in to reduce post-harvest loss.
Jamyang Tenzin, an agri-entrepreneur, says he sources raw materials from farmers in Trashi Yangtse, helping address post-harvest issues while creating income opportunities in his own little way.
“Before we started our processing unit in Trashi Yangtse, farmers would work tirelessly every year, but much of their produce would go unsold and eventually spoil. Now, I hear from farmers that they feel encouraged to produce more and more.”
Sujan Pradhan, Principal Post Production Technologist, from the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives, acknowledged the gap and said new approaches are being explored.
“Our department is now promoting solar cold storage with a capacity of five to ten metric tons. Starting from the next financial year, we will begin implementing these units. They are portable and use minimal energy, making them practical and efficient for farmers.”
However, experts at the workshop emphasised that improving post-harvest management will require more than just infrastructure. They highlighted the need to strengthen value chains, improve packaging and branding, and ensure better market access.
As Bhutan looks to build a more resilient and food-secure future, the message from the ground is clear: unless farmers can preserve what they produce, the problem of post-harvest loss will continue to undermine the sector.
Kinley Bidha
Edited by Phub Gyem
