𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐛𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲

…𝒂 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑 𝒐𝒇 12 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒁𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒈 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚.

By Lhendup Wangmo

Since 2012, a group of 12 women in Soobdrang Chiwog, Trong Gewog under Zhemgang Dzongkhag, have made significant progress in agricultural development by forming a cooperative aimed at cultivating cardamom. The cooperative has not only become a key source of income for the women but has also empowered them to lead the charge in promoting sustainable livelihoods and gender equality within their community. Their hard work has turned cardamom into a valuable cash crop, improved local agricultural production, and fostered a sense of unity and collaboration.

The cooperative’s primary goal has been to empower women economically, providing them with a steady income while reducing their dependency on external support. “We have proven that women can play an essential role in shaping their own economic future,” said Sangay Dorji, Tshogpa of Soobdrang Chiwog. “This initiative is about more than farming; it’s about creating independence and unity in our community.”

The success of the cooperative has been widely recognized, with local residents praising the women for their dedication and the positive impact on the community. “The efforts of these women have brought tangible improvements to the area,” said a local resident. “Not only has agricultural production increased, but social ties have also strengthened.” The cooperative has fostered a sense of collaboration that extends beyond its members, with the entire community benefiting from the initiative’s success.

Tashi Phuntsho, Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer of Zhemgang, has expressed strong support for such grassroots agricultural initiatives. “The agricultural sector is ready to provide any necessary support to locals who are committed to enhancing farming in the region,” Phuntsho stated. He highlighted plans to adopt a gender-friendly approach to agriculture, encouraging women to take on entrepreneurial roles in farming. “We are actively working to promote gender equality in agriculture and ensure that women have equal opportunities to thrive,” he said.

In line with this goal, Phuntsho announced plans to provide farm machinery to reduce the labor-intensive nature of farming. “With the introduction of modern farming tools, we aim to increase productivity and make work more efficient,” he explained. “This will not only benefit women farmers but also improve the overall agricultural sector in Zhemgang.” The Dzongkhag Agriculture Office is also committed to supplying essential farming equipment to local farmers, ensuring that they have the tools necessary for success.

Thinley Zangpo, the Gewog Agriculture Extension Officer, emphasized the importance of supporting villagers who are eager to pursue farming, regardless of their educational background. “Our goal is to help individuals become independent by providing them with the right resources and services,” Zangpo explained. He noted that by focusing on high-value cash crops like cardamom, villagers can increase their earnings and reduce dependency on external financial aid. “This will not only help improve incomes but will also instill a sense of pride and independence,” he said.

Sangay Dorji the Tshogpa of Soobdrang Chiwog, further emphasized that the cooperative is a sustainable initiative, designed to provide long-term benefits to its members. “Our aim is to create long-term security, including support for old age,” Dorji explained. With initial funding of Nu. 300,000 to purchase equipment and training from the Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs, the women have built strong foundations for financial independence. “Every member has equal opportunities, and we ensure that they are supported in a way that fosters inclusivity and sustainable growth,” he added.

The cooperative’s efforts have already made a significant impact. Kinzang Mo, a 46-year-old member of the group, shared that their current two-acre cardamom plantation generates an annual income of between Nu. five hundred thousand and Nu. six hundred thousand, which is shared among the members. “This income has significantly improved our livelihoods,” Kinzang said. Encouraged by their success, the women plan to expand their plantation to four or five acres in the coming years. “We are seeking assistance from the dzongkhag to expand our farming and increase our income,” Kinzang added.

Kinzang is confident that the cooperative has proven that women can achieve financial independence through agriculture. “It clearly shows that women are capable of earning and securing a better livelihood for themselves and their families,” she said, adding that the cooperative’s growth has strengthened both their economic stability and sense of self-reliance.

Despite these successes, the women of Soobdrang Chiwog face challenges, particularly due to the lack of modern farming equipment. Dechen Wangmo, another member of the cooperative, expressed her concerns about the labor-intensive nature of traditional farming methods. “We are still relying on manual tools, which are very time-consuming and physically demanding,” Wangmo said. “However, we are hopeful that with the support from the dzongkhag and gewog, we will soon receive modern equipment, which will help improve our productivity.”

Dechen Wangmo is optimistic that the introduction of modern tools will help them expand their cardamom cultivation, enhance productivity, and increase income. “Cash crops like cardamom are crucial for our livelihoods. They allow us to become self-reliant and reduce our dependence on external financial aid,” she stated. She expressed gratitude to the dzongkhag administration and the Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs for their support in ensuring the success of their project. “With the right resources and support, we believe we can further strengthen our agricultural practices and improve our economic stability,” she added.

The cooperative’s success story is not just about farming it is a testament to the power of women-led initiatives and the importance of gender equality in economic development. “Our project is about more than just cardamom farming,” said Sangay Dorji. “It’s about creating opportunities for women, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring sustainable growth for the entire community.” Encouraged by their achievements, many of the women are now looking toward expanding their agricultural activities, with the goal of further contributing to the local economy.

The women of Soobdrang Chiwog have proven that with hard work, determination, and collaboration, it is possible to achieve both personal and community-wide prosperity. Their initiative stands as an inspiring example of how grassroots efforts can bring about long-term change, empowering women and contributing to the broader goals of sustainable agricultural development and self-sufficiency in rural country. As they continue to grow and expand their cardamom cultivation, the women of Soobdrang Chiwog remain a shining example of how local communities can drive their own economic future through sustainable and inclusive agricultural practices.