𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐲

By Lalit Gurung

The Panbang Youth Cooperative (PYC) is making significant strides in Bhutan’s agricultural sector, not only by promoting sustainable farming but also by creating meaningful opportunities for youth and the community.
The cooperative’s coffee nursery project has become a driving force in local agriculture, while providing young people with the skills and knowledge to lead the way toward both community development and national food security.

PYC was founded on October 14, 2019 commits to building a progressive, self-reliant agro enterprise. PYC embarked on a coffee nursery initiative in the beginning of this year, capitalizing on the growing global demand for coffee.
The cooperative’s efforts had a direct impact on the local economy. PYC sold 85,000 out of 150,000 coffee saplings to the Zhemgang Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector for Nu 25 per sapling, generating Ngultrum (Nu) 2,125,000 income.

Such initiative provides affordable opportunities for those interested in coffee cultivation. The project was funded by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bhutan Small Grants Programme (SGP) with United States Dollar (USD) 37,000 equivalent to Nu 3,000,000.

“Recognizing the economic potential, we decided to start a coffee sapling nursery, aiming to distribute coffee saplings to the surrounding community,” said Leki Chedup, the founder of PYC.
However, starting a coffee nursery was no easy task. Many members of PYC lacked experience in coffee farming, as coffee is not a traditional crop in Bhutan. But with support from the Zhemgang Dzongkhang Agriculture officer, Agriculture Research and Development Center in Gelephu (ARDC) and experienced local farmers, the cooperative’s youth members received valuable training, enabling them to overcome these challenges.

Pema Lhaden, a 21-year-old nursery attendant said “We received hands-on training in coffee nursery management, which was both productive and skill-enhancing.”
The success of the coffee nursery is built on youth engagement and inclusivity. The cooperative employs 23 youth members, and further engages 20 seasonal workers from the community and two people with disabilities. By involving youth and the community in every step of the project, PYC ensures that the benefits of the coffee nursery extend beyond just the cooperative’s core group.

Tashi Phuntsho, Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer, said “With these type of projects we encourage income generation, encourage youth into agriculture and employment generation.” Youth are trained on nursery establishment, seed collection, identifying varieties, seed sowing, potting and management of seedlings.