If you have money but not the time or land to own fruit trees, there is a way out to enjoy harvesting. A former public servant has introduced a unique ‘Tree Membership’ programme, allowing members to own fruit trees for a set time and enjoy the harvest. This initiative aims to bridge the gap for those who have resources but not the time or space, making it a win for both the environment and the community.
After nearly two decades in public service, Dorji from Trashigang made a career shift towards agriculture last year.
The ‘Tree Membership’ programme operates under his brand, ‘The Happiness Farm’ where he cultivates a variety of fruits across two farms in Paro and Punakha.
The farm grows organic apples, Japanese pears, and walnuts on a large scale.
The 45-year-old believes in encouraging Bhutanese youth to embrace agriculture to help the country’s economy. The farm introduced the ‘Tree Membership’ programme this year.
“This tree membership programme is unique. Many people who have money do not have time. People who have time and money, do not have land. I thought this might be a unique way of allowing them to enjoy the labour and the work we do. We grow this with love. So, people are interested in enjoying, they buy a lot of food, but owning, giving them the ownership, it is very good for sustainability, it is good for the environment, it is good for us, it is good for them.”
While there are currently 15 members in the programme, only one of them is a Bhutanese.
“This is one of the first kind that we have in Bhutan because I have never had this opportunity before and I have never heard of this. Number one, you get to adopt these two apple trees for one year. Even next year I am going to come here and harvest my apple and I get the ownership for one year, complete ownership,” said Karma Namgay, a member.
Foreign members who are not in the country opt to donate the produce to religious institutions or other organisations.
“They are not in the country, so they choose to donate to charity organisations. For instance, recently, we have had monks of Dobji Dzong, come and harvest since a couple from Canada donated to them. And then likewise, we had the Bhutan Kidney Foundation, and the patients came here. They came to harvest their produce. The monks of Dobji Dzong can harvest the pears and apples from us for the next 20 years,” said Dorji, the founder of The Happiness Farm.
The farm also supplies its produce to the Food Corporation of Bhutan.
Deki Lhazom
Edited by Sonam Pem
