𝐋𝐡𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

…30 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒆𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒘𝒐𝒈 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈

By Tshering Yangdon

The Dzongkhag Livestock Sector in Lhuentse has launched a transformative Climate-Smart Poultry Farming project aimed at fostering climate resilience in rural Bhutan. Engaging 30 local households in Ney Chiwog under Gangzur Gewog, the project focuses on rearing indigenous poultry breeds to promote sustainability, boost income, and preserve biodiversity. Funded by the CARLEP-IFAD Project for FY 2024-2025, the initiative seeks to address the climate challenges faced by farmers in this mountainous region.

Lhuentse has long struggled with unpredictable weather, fluctuating temperatures, and heavy rainfall, all of which pose significant risks to poultry farming. Sherub Thinley, Senior Livestock Extension Supervisor of Lhuentse, explained that the project addresses these challenges by introducing modern poultry coops designed to protect the birds from extreme weather conditions. He stated, “These coops create a stable, climate-controlled environment, ensuring that poultry remain healthy and productive.” This resilience helps mitigate climate-related risks such as disease outbreaks and poor egg production during extreme weather events.

Each of the 30 households involved in the project was selected based on their interest in sustainable farming practices and their existing involvement in livestock farming. The project offers training on climate-smart poultry farming, biosecurity measures, and the proper care of indigenous poultry breeds. Technical support will be provided by experts throughout the project to ensure successful outcomes. These efforts are expected to improve farm productivity, increase income, and promote environmental sustainability.

Tshewang Thinley, Gup (head) of Gangzur Gewog, noted that the modern poultry coops were designed to be cost-effective, using locally sourced materials and simple construction techniques to keep initial expenses low. The Dzongkhag Livestock Sector will also provide subsidies to help offset the cost of building these coops. “These coops are low-maintenance, long-lasting, and easy to construct, which reduces long-term operational costs,” said Thinley. Farmers will receive training on building and maintaining the coops to minimize dependence on external resources.

The project aims to have a broader impact by boosting local economies. Sonam Dendrup, Tshopa (local leader) of Gangzur Gewog, a key supporter of the initiative, explained, “By fostering a sustainable poultry farming culture, this project opens opportunities for related sectors like feed production, veterinary care, and local trade.” Moreover, it will empower rural communities, providing them with the tools and knowledge to adapt to climate change and improve their livelihoods.

The impact of the project will be closely monitored through regular site visits by agricultural experts and field officers. Data on egg production, poultry health, and farm income will be collected to assess the effectiveness of the project. Success in climate adaptation will also be tracked by evaluating how well the coops and farming practices withstand changing weather conditions. This data will be used to make adjustments to the program, ensuring that it remains sustainable and adaptable.

Cheten Tshering, a 33-year-old farmer, shared, “The modern poultry coops have made a big difference in protecting the birds from unpredictable weather conditions like heavy rainfall, extreme heat, and cold temperatures. They provide a stable, climate-controlled environment that ensures the poultry stay healthy and productive.” This stability helps increase the resilience of the farming community to climate change.

Sherub Thinley also highlighted the potential for scaling up the project to other districts in Bhutan facing similar climate challenges. The long-term goal is to increase national poultry production, strengthen rural economies, and promote biodiversity. “The objective is to establish climate-smart poultry farming as a sustainable model across the country,” said Thinley.

Similar initiatives in Bhutan, such as the sustainable yak farming project in the highlands, have already demonstrated positive results, including increased income for farmers, improved animal health, and enhanced resilience to climate change. These successes highlight the potential for scaling up climate-smart farming practices to improve both environmental and economic sustainability.

For participants like Thinley Choden, a 45-year-old woman, the project offers an opportunity to diversify her income and contribute to the conservation of indigenous breeds. “This aligns with my belief in sustainable farming practices, especially in the face of changing climate conditions,” said Thinley Choden. She plans to follow the biosecurity guidelines provided for the poultry coops, including maintaining cleanliness, ensuring proper ventilation, and controlling access to reduce the risk of diseases.

Pem Dorji, a 25-year-old man, emphasized the importance of climate-smart farming practices in enhancing the resilience of his farm to climate-related changes such as extreme temperatures and drought. He said, “This initiative will provide a steady income through egg sales and contribute to food security by offering a locally produced, nutritious food source.”

As the project progresses, it will continue to serve as a model for other communities, demonstrating how sustainable farming can enhance both the environment and local economies.