For farmers in Chheng village under Bumdeling Gewog in Trashi Yangtse, organic farming was a conscious choice, partly to keep production costs low. Today, that choice is beginning to pay off, as demand for their produce grows and they start receiving orders from buyers.
The 13 households in Chheng formed the Chheng Rangzhin Thaenkey Deytshen in 2023 to promote organic farming and produce farm products for the market. Whether growing seasonal vegetables or commercial crops such as quinoa and potatoes, the farmers rely entirely on locally available manure.
During winter, they collect dried leaves and store them in cattle sheds. The leaves serve as bedding for cattle and later mix with cow dung. Farmers then use this mixture as organic manure in their fields, applying it before cultivation and throughout the growing season.
Karma Deki, a farmer, said, “We use only cow dung mixed with dried leaves. We do not use other fertilisers. When farmers use imported chemical fertilisers, the soil becomes hard. But our manure keeps the soil soft.”
Tshering Dorji, another farmer, said, “There is a risk that we may not be able to continue growing crops organically in the future. Although our village is small, we are working to maintain organic farming. This helps us reduce our expenses. Otherwise, we would have to spend a lot on fertilisers. Organic farming is also good for our health, and we hope it will bring better business opportunities in the future.”
With farmland located close to one another, farmers say they can also monitor their fields more easily and maintain organic farming practices.
Demand for organic farm produce is growing, and the farmers sell their harvest to buyers within and outside the district.
Kinzang Wangdi, a farmer, said, “We are receiving orders from buyers, so we do not face much difficulty selling our produce. We grow quinoa and potatoes on a large scale. Last year, I earned around Nu 100,000.”
The farmers also hold regular meetings to review their farming practices, discuss challenges and find ways to improve organic farming in the village.
Recently, the Gewog supported the farmers with chain-link fencing to protect their fields.
Mani Dorji, Bumdeling Gup, Trashi Yangtse, said, “When the government provides support, we give priority to these farmers. We have already discussed the matter with the District Administration, and they are expected to receive a power tiller each soon. Although the Gewog has limited resources, we prioritise them whenever support is available from the District, relevant departments and other projects.”
Chheng is currently the only village in the district practising organic farming, and farmers are determined to sustain organic farming and expand production.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Sangay Chezom
