𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐩 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫

…𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒑 𝑱𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚.

By Kezang Choden

A week-long training held in Dewathang has equipped ten lead farmers from Dewathang, Orong, Langchenphu, Phuntshothang, and Gomdar Gewogs with the skills to implement sustainable farming practices. Organized by the Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative (SJI) in collaboration with the District Agriculture Sector, the training focused on preparing bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides using locally available materials. The initiative, funded by the Bhutan Foundation, aims to enhance agricultural productivity through innovation and mechanization among smallholder farmers.

Following the training, each lead farmer is expected to pass on their knowledge by training about 15 farmers in their respective gewogs within two days, establishing a farmer-to-farmer extension system. The program also supports commercial farming on a cost-sharing basis to reduce financial barriers. Among the trainees, two women from Gomdar Gewog, who had previously undergone similar training, are now helping empower other farmers in their communities.
In another initiative, 30 farmers, predominantly women, were trained in organic farming, seed saving, and climate-smart agricultural practices, further promoting sustainable agriculture.

Cheku Dorji, Program Director of SJI, explained that the initiative focuses on revolutionizing farming practices in the region through farm mechanization and climate-smart techniques. “The project aims to enhance crop production through innovative and environmentally friendly farming methods,” he said. The training covers soil health management, efficient water usage, integrated pest management, and organic farming, ensuring a sustainable agricultural framework that benefits both the environment and farmers’ livelihoods.

A key aspect of the initiative is capacity building. Through hands-on workshops and training materials, farmers gain the knowledge and skills to adopt innovative practices independently. SJI will also provide support on a cost-sharing basis to encourage active participation and reduce financial burdens.

The program emphasizes small-scale commercial farms, mechanization, and the production of vermi-compost to boost productivity and foster economic growth within the community. Lead farmers, who receive initial training and support, will act as ambassadors, sharing their knowledge and skills with other farmers. “This cascading model ensures the benefits are widely distributed, empowering farmers to adopt new practices,” Dorji added.

The SJI initiative is not only transforming farming practices in the district but also building resilience in the agricultural sector. By promoting sustainable farming and empowering farmers, particularly women, it supports food self-sufficiency and economic stability in the region.

Sangay Phuntsho, Agriculture Extension Officer of Gomdar Gewog, highlighted the impact of the lead farmer program, noting its ability to disseminate knowledge efficiently, especially as many men in the gewog migrate for wage labor. “The program is essential for helping women, who now manage the majority of agricultural work, adopt sustainable practices,” he said.

Lhamo, a lead farmer from Gomdar Gewog, has become an inspiring figure in her community. Despite lacking formal education, Lhamo has embraced her role as a knowledge-sharer, teaching farmers about natural manure production, seed care, and sustainable farming techniques. “I am happy to share what I have learned, hoping it benefits everyone in our gewog,” she said. Her work has already led to improvements in soil fertility and crop yields, and she plans to continue training her community to be self-sufficient and economically independent through organic farming.

Similarly, Sangay Wangmo, another dedicated lead farmer from Gomdar, has trained 30 farmers in her community, focusing on seed care, soil fertility, and avoiding chemical inputs. Her work has inspired many to adopt eco-friendly farming practices, fostering self-sufficiency in the community.

Norbu Lhamo, a participant in the farmer-to-farmer extension program, expressed her gratitude for the hands-on training, which has provided her with essential knowledge about sustainable farming practices. “This is my first time learning directly from an experienced farmer, and I now have the tools to improve my farming methods,” she said. The program, which has a high participation rate among women, is seen as a significant step toward promoting gender equality in agriculture.

The farmer-to-farmer extension program continues to inspire and empower farmers, ensuring that the benefits of sustainable farming reach every household in the community. Through knowledge-sharing and community collaboration, the initiative is paving the way for a more productive and resilient agricultural future in the region.