𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐎𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬

By Tshering Yangden

A three-day oyster mushroom cultivation training was recently held in Gomdar Gewog, Samdrupjongkhar Dzongkhag. Organized by the Barzor Vegetable Group of Bazor Village in collaboration with Samsara Farming, the training aimed to equip local farmers with the skills needed to venture into sustainable farming practices.

Despite financial constraints, the Barzor Vegetable Group independently organized and funded the training. Sonam Gyeltshen, the lead trainer, explained that the training stemmed from discussions during the Farmers’ Entrepreneurship and Business Literacy (FEBL) workshop organized by the Rural Agricultural Marketing and Cooperative Organization (RAMCO) in Tashigang.

“The community in Gomdar showed strong interest and even constructed a mushroom house 15 days prior to the training,” Sonam Gyeltshen said. This proactive step highlights the enthusiasm and commitment of the local community toward sustainable farming.

Sonam Dorji, the accountant of Barzor Vegetable Group, revealed the challenges faced in organizing the training. Limited funding, lack of essential tools, and insufficient knowledge among participants posed significant obstacles.
“We had to rely entirely on our resources to fund the program,” Sonam Dorji said. “Despite these challenges, we stayed committed to our mission and worked to create opportunities for farmers.”
The group’s determination paid off, as participants expressed optimism about the training’s potential to improve livelihoods.

Participants like Pema Dorji, 45, voiced confidence in the training’s impact. “With the right techniques, mushroom cultivation can become a reliable and profitable source of income,” he said.
Similarly, 59-year-old Chozom highlighted the training’s role in building confidence and providing a clear roadmap for mushroom farming. “I now feel equipped to turn this knowledge.

The training in Gomdar Gewog is part of a broader initiative to promote sustainable agricultural practices across Bhutan. Senior Agriculture Extension Supervisor Sangay Phuntsho stated that the Gewog Administration and Dzongkhag Agriculture Centre did not fund this initiative. Instead, it was driven entirely by the local community’s efforts.

“This is the first introduction of mushroom cultivation in Gomdhar Gewog,” Sangay Phuntsho said. “We plan to offer additional training sessions next year to further support the farmers.”
Participants like Tshering Om expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “The skills I’ve gained will help transform local farming practices and generate income,” she said.

With similar programs underway in other parts of Bhutan, including Pemagatshel and Mongar Dzongkhags, the oyster mushroom training represents a significant step toward achieving sustainable farming practices nationwide.