Marketing challenges once again dominated discussions in the National Council today. The concerns were raised when the Agriculture and Livestock Minister introduced the Cooperatives and Farmer Groups Bill of Bhutan 2025 in the House. Several members said that despite government support for production, farmers continue to struggle to sell their produce.
Members of Parliament asked the minister how the bill would help solve the marketing challenges farmers are facing.
Eminent Member Phuntsho Rapten, said, “Whether it is a farmer group or a cooperative, the most important thing is marketing. Even when we met people at the auction yard in Phuentshogling, this is what they shared with us. The government has been supporting people to increase production, but there is no strong support when it comes to marketing.”
“Be it potatoes, fruits, or vegetables, people have been able to produce them, but they have not been able to sell them, leaving the produce around their houses. No one wants to work as a farmer, and even when individuals do work as farmers, not getting good returns has gradually discouraged people. The bill should have a detailed marketing strategy. A reliable market and proper solutions would help people,” said kelzang Lhundrup, Lhuentse MP, National Council.
Similarly, Ugyen Tshering, Paro MP, National Council said, “The government has been supporting immensely by providing free seeds and subsidies. In the end, it all comes down to marketing, and everyone acknowledges that. No matter what kind of cooperative or farmer group is formed, marketing matters the most.”
Jamyang Namgyal (PhD), Pema Gatshel MP, NC also said, “When regulations become more decentralised, it can leave people more confused. The government has not been able to solve the issue of market access or production. By saying that these problems will be solved through farmer groups, there may be different interpretations, including that the responsibility is being transferred to the people.”
Minister Younten Phuntsho clarified that the bill would help improve marketing. He added that if farmers produce in large quantities which is enough to meet the demand, marketing would not be a problem.
“The main reason marketing has not performed well is sustainability, particularly whether the market demand can be met consistently. Some members mentioned large-scale production, but generally, the main issue is the inability to produce in sufficient volumes. The main reason for creating cooperatives and farmer groups is to solve the issue of underproduction. If we can produce in larger volumes, we can explore wider markets. Then marketing would not be a problem.”
Currently, there are around 700 farmer groups and more than 120 cooperatives in the country.
The National Council will continue deliberating on the bill next month.
Sonam Yuden
