𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬

…𝑺𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑴𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔, 𝑩𝒊𝒈 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕

By Kezang Choden

In a move to empower local farmers and enhance Bhutan’s agricultural resilience, seventy farmers across the gewogs of Dophuchen, Tading, Norbugang, Yoeseltse, Sangngacholing, and Tendruk in Samtse Dzongkhag recently received mini tillers designed for ease of use, especially by women. This innovation, valued at Nu 66,375 each, represents a significant investment toward achieving food self-sufficiency. Aiming to ease the physical burden of farming, these mini tillers are the latest part of Bhutan’s Food Security and Agriculture Productivity Project (FSAPP), which is focused on bolstering local agricultural productivity and economic sustainability.

The FSAPP has partnered with farmers on a 50-50 cost-sharing basis to make these machines affordable and accessible. This approach shows a broader vision of community-driven investment, ensuring that all, including women and elderly farmers, can actively participate in food production.

Rinzin Wangchuk, the Director of the Food Security and Agriculture Productivity Project, explains the program’s significance, stating, “The introduction of mini tillers not only addresses labour shortages but empowers farmers by enhancing productivity, especially in areas where manual labour is scarce.” With women playing a pivotal role in Bhutan’s agriculture, the mini tiller has been designed for ease of operation, giving them more independence in their farming pursuits. Rinzin Wangchuk elaborates, “This machine is lightweight and intuitive, allowing women farmers to operate it with minimal strain, transforming farming practices within their communities.”

In Bhutan, where women represent a considerable portion of the farming workforce, the mini tiller brings a transformative change by enabling them to cultivate larger plots without the need for intensive physical labour. This development, especially relevant in rural areas, not only improves production rates but fosters an inclusive farming community. For Karma, a farmer from Dophuchen Gewog, the mini tiller has been a game-changer. “Now, my son and I can work together on our land, planting vegetables on a larger scale than before,” he shares. “With this added capacity, we’re even considering selling surplus produce to local markets.”

The tiller’s versatility has inspired local farmers to expand beyond subsistence farming and explore additional income opportunities. In the past, many smallholder farmers had to rely on oxen for tilling, a practice that required renting animals and scheduling around their availability. With the new machinery, farmers like Karma have gained autonomy, eliminating costs and delays associated with animal rentals.

This small yet powerful machine, promoted across five Dzongkhags including Sarpang, Dagana, Chukha, Haa, and Samtse, marks a significant milestone in Bhutan’s agricultural modernization, allowing farmers to cultivate larger areas and meet rising demands for local produce. The FSAPP’s partnership with the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), funded by a USD 12.64 million grant through the World Bank, has enabled the provision of over 500 mini tillers across Bhutan, bridging the gap between traditional farming practices and modern, mechanized agriculture.

Beyond mini tillers, Samtse is also witnessing the rise of poly houses as a means to extend the growing season and protect crops from extreme weather. In Pemaling Gewog, 35 poly houses have been installed, courtesy of the Department of Agriculture, to foster year-round vegetable cultivation. This infrastructure, which cost Nu 2 million, provides farmers with the means to grow green vegetables regardless of Bhutan’s harsh seasonal conditions, helping to meet both local consumption needs and broader food security goals.

Narayan Kumar Acharja, Assistant Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer of Samtse Dzongkhag, emphasizes the poly houses’ impact on vegetable production. “These structures allow us to cultivate vegetables throughout the year, reducing our dependence on imported produce and ensuring that Bhutanese consumers have access to fresh, organic options,” Narayan Kumar Acharja notes. The poly houses vary in size to suit different farming needs, accommodating everyone from smallholders to more established farmers aiming to increase their output.

For Chandra Bdr Ghalley, a farmer from Norgyaling Chiwog, the poly house initiative has been transformative. “Before, we could only grow vegetables during specific seasons,” he explains. “Now, we can grow fresh greens all year, even during the winter.” With the poly house, Ghalley and his neighbors expect to see a significant increase in yields, which will support the Gyalsung project by providing a stable supply of produce to meet Bhutan’s growing demands.

The poly house initiative aligns with Bhutan’s broader vision of organic farming and self-sufficiency, ensuring that rural communities can produce fresh, locally-grown vegetables throughout the year. Farmers can now cultivate high-demand crops in greater quantities and during off-seasons, furthering Bhutan’s push toward self-reliance.

Both the mini tillers and poly houses serve a vital role in fortifying Samtse’s food production systems, addressing the challenges of labour shortages and climatic limitations. The government’s active support for these technologies reflects Bhutan’s larger objective to secure food sustainability. From mini tillers that lighten farmers’ workloads to poly houses that protect crops, these initiatives are setting the stage for a more resilient agricultural sector that prioritizes both productivity and community well-being.

Damber Chettri, a farmer from Norbugang Gewog, testifies to the difference that the mini tillers have made in his life. “We used to rely heavily on oxen, which were often hard to obtain,” Chettri shares. “Now, we can start working whenever we need to without waiting for animals or paying for their hire.” With the mini tiller’s easy handling, farmers can work on short notice, allowing for timely cultivation and increased productivity across gewogs.

The initiatives in Samtse have not only supported farmers but have empowered them to contribute actively to Bhutan’s vision of a self-reliant nation. By reducing dependence on imported food, these innovations help Bhutan maintain a sustainable local economy, preserving resources while fostering food security. As Bhutan progresses toward its goals, Samtse’s farmers stand as role models for how rural communities can leverage technology to strengthen agriculture and build resilience.

The story of Karma, Damber, Chandra, and many other farmers reflects the potential of small, targeted investments to bring about big changes in Bhutan’s rural areas. These programs go beyond addressing immediate needs—they offer lasting solutions to the nation’s challenges, from labour scarcity to climate vulnerability. Equipped with mini tillers and poly houses, Samtse’s farmers are not just keeping their communities fed—they’re redefining what’s possible for Bhutan’s agricultural landscape.

With the success seen in Samtse, the FSAPP plans to continue expanding the initiative into other Dzongkhags, providing mini tillers to smallholder farmers in Chukha and Haa by the end of November. As Rinzin Wangchuk notes, “The results in Samtse have been promising, and we’re optimistic about replicating these successes across Bhutan.”
For Bhutan, where agriculture is deeply intertwined with cultural identity and economic stability, these investments are more than practical, they represent hope for a prosperous and resilient nation. Bhutan’s farmers are now better equipped, not just for the season but for the future, taking important strides toward ensuring that all Bhutanese can enjoy the fruits of self-sufficiency and sustainable growth.

As Bhutan works toward its ambitious agricultural goals, Samtse’s story shines as a beacon, illustrating the power of community investment, technological empowerment, and a shared commitment to resilience. Through mini tillers and poly houses, the nation is planting the seeds for a more self-sufficient and prosperous future.