𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐢 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢-𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

…𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔

By Kinzang Lhamo

The Integrated Agri-Business Creation Training held in Serthi Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar, is being hailed as a transformative initiative aimed at shifting rural livelihoods from traditional subsistence farming to more sustainable, market-driven agricultural practices. The initiative is being recommended by Minister of Agriculture and livestock along with Dzongdag of Samdrup Jongkhar.

The overall coordination is done by Dzongkhag Economic Development and marketing sector. This program was jointly organized by five key government stakeholders, the National Post-Harvest Center, Dzongkhag Agriculture and Administration sector, the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, and the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives.

Bringing together farmers and youth from across the gewog, the training focused on practical, skill-based learning designed to enhance income generation, improve post-harvest handling, and promote food security in the region. Through hands-on sessions, field demonstrations, and expert guidance, the initiative aims to empower rural communities to view agriculture not just as a means of survival, but as a viable and profitable enterprise.

At its core, the training focuses on empowering participants with entrepreneurial mindsets and technical knowledge in key areas such as mushroom cultivation, post-harvest handling, and value addition. These areas were identified as high-potential sectors for smallholder farmers, especially in remote and underserved communities like Serthi.

The initiative also reflects country’s broader vision of promoting agri-entrepreneurship and reducing rural poverty by helping farmers tap into emerging agri-markets. With hands-on sessions, field demonstrations, and mentorship from subject matter experts, the program is equipping participants not only with practical know-how but also with confidence to pursue agri-business as a viable livelihood.

For many in Serthi Gewog, where agriculture has long been practiced for survival rather than profit, the training marks a turning point. It offers new hope for improving household incomes, creating employment, and encouraging youth to see farming not just as a tradition, but as a modern opportunity-filled career path.

Wangchuk, Drungpa of Jomotshangkha said, “This program has the potential to significantly transform the rural economy by equipping farmers and youths with practical skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and market-oriented farming techniques.”

He added, “Over time, such initiatives can stimulate job creation, improve food security, and foster a culture of innovation and self-reliance within the farming community.”

The program’s structure includes a five-day entrepreneurship bootcamp led by the Department of Entrepreneurship and Employment, followed by a three-day mushroom cultivation training and a four-day session on post-harvest processing and preservation, supported by the National Post-Harvest Centre (NPHC), Paro. These modules provide participants with foundational business skills and technical expertise, addressing challenges like climate variability, post-harvest losses, and market access.

Economic Development and Marketing Officer, Sonam Wangchuk highlighted, “If this program is successfully rolled out, it will serve as a model to be replicated in other Dzongkhags. Chukha is already preparing for the training. This is one of the first of its kind, where almost five agencies have come together to deliver a coordinated training program with experts reaching even the most remote areas.”

Beyond skill development, the training aims to address systemic gaps. Previous initiatives were often scattered and lacked post-training impact. This integrated approach, however, ensures resource optimization, market-driven training, and post-program support. With markets such as Jomori Hydropower and the Dratshang already identified, participants can transition into demand-driven enterprises.

He added, “Through this program, participants will gain both the technical and business know-how to transform local resources into viable enterprises. It’s not just about pickling vegetables or growing mushrooms it’s about building livelihoods, boosting rural economies, and setting a precedent for future collaborative training models in Bhutan.”
The mushroom cultivation component of the training has drawn significant attention from both participants and experts, particularly for its potential to enhance rural livelihoods with minimal land use.

Sonam Gyeltshen, a seasoned mushroom farmer explained, “With the changing climate, it’s essential that farmers adopt controlled growing environments to manage humidity and temperature effectively. Simple setups like low-cost polyhouses and insulated rooms can make a big difference in ensuring consistent yields, even during unpredictable weather.”

His insights highlighted the need for climate-smart farming techniques, a message that resonated deeply with participants, especially those who had experienced crop losses due to erratic weather patterns. As the training progressed, discussions also shifted toward the economic side of mushroom farming particularly the hurdles that prevent farmers from tapping into its full potential.

He added, “Farmers are producing quality mushrooms but without proper branding and market connections, the potential remains untapped. We need to equip farmers not just to grow, but to sell and scale.”

Thinley Yangki, a young trainee from the gewog, found herself particularly inspired by the mushroom cultivation sessions. Initially, she had joined the training with a general interest in value-added agriculture, hoping to explore various options to supplement her family’s income. However, it didn’t take long for her focus to shift.

She said, “I believed that cultivating the product would be more advantageous than buying it from others, especially considering the potential to sell it in the market in the future, I saw mushroom farming as something that could give me both control and opportunity.”

Her perspective reflects a growing realization among youth in rural communities that self-production not only reduces dependency on external suppliers but also allows for greater quality control and profit margins.

The training did more than just introduce a skill, it sparked a vision for the future. She began discussing the possibility of setting up a small mushroom unit at home and even forming a group with fellow trainees to explore small-scale production together.

Although she initially showed equal interest in pickling and other forms of food processing, the immersive, hands-on nature of the mushroom sessions quickly captured her attention.

She added, “After just two days of the training, I found myself more drawn to mushroom cultivation than pickling, The practical demonstrations, step-by-step guidance, and seeing actual mushroom beds being prepared made it feel real and doable.”

The training included hands-on sessions in fermentation, packaging, the use of natural preservatives, and labeling techniques aligned with consumer standards. It also introduced low-cost processing technologies suitable for rural settings, like solar dryers.

Momring Tshogpa Sonam Thinley also participated and brought a historical perspective to the session. “When I talk about mushroom cultivation, I always highlight how beneficial it is. It doesn’t take much time or require difficult methods, unlike other crops where you wait three to five years to see results.”

Having started mushroom cultivation in 1996, he shared insights on the evolution of the practice and emphasized the importance of continuous support.

“I have always been interested in mushroom farming, but due to a lack of seeds, I could not continue. That’s why I am really glad the government is now supporting Serthi Gewog with training and materials. If this support can also reach Lauri Gewog, it would make a real difference for farmers like us,” he added.

The program’s measurable goals include increasing the percentage of trainees establishing agri-enterprises within 6–12 months, improving employability, enhancing access to financial services, and strengthening collaboration among cooperatives and buyers. Long-term impact indicators include higher income levels, enterprise sustainability over 1- 3 years, and reduced youth migration.

Sonam Zangpo, another villager from Serthi Gewog, expressed optimism about the program’s ripple effect within the community. “I had an interest in mushroom cultivation, so I decided to participate in the training. I believe it’s not just beneficial for me but for the entire gewog as well. Even though many other villagers might not have the time to attend such trainings, I am willing to share the knowledge I have gained and help teach them.”

From a technical standpoint, the National Post-Harvest Centre (NPHC) played a central role in delivering comprehensive training on food processing, hygiene, and preservation.

“Our role in this training goes beyond just delivering sessions we aim to build real capacity in rural communities by helping farmers reduce post-harvest losses and create market-ready products,” said Tshering Deki, Post Production Supervisor at NPHC.

In alignment with Bhutan’s broader development goals, the Integrated Agri-Business Creation Training not only builds agricultural skills but also cultivates a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance in the country’s rural landscape.

The ongoing Integrated Agri-Business Creation Training in Serthi Gewog is being supported through a well-structured and collaborative budget plan, allowing various components of the program to roll out effectively. Approximately Nu. 600,000 has been allocated for the boot camp training, laying the foundation for entrepreneurial mindset development among farmers and youth. The pickling and value-addition sessions are being implemented with Nu. 200,000.

Further, the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC) and the National Post Harvest Center (NPHC) have been allocated Nu. 187,332 to provide technical support and expertise. To ensure smooth coordination and on-ground support, Nu. 85,000 is for Commercial agriculture and resilient livelihood enhancement program (CARLEP). This ongoing investment emphasises the government’s commitment to promoting rural entrepreneurship and equipping local communities with the skills and resources needed for sustainable agri-business development.