𝐙𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲

… 𝒂 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊-𝒈𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 178,200 𝒄𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 264 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆-𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔

By Kezang Choden

Zhemgang Dzongkhag has launched an ambitious coffee plantation project, aiming to transform the region’s agricultural landscape and boost the local economy. Spanning across seven gewogs-Nangkor, Trong, Bardo, Phangkhar, Goshing, Nangla, and Bjoka- this initiative plans to plant coffee saplings on a massive scale, introducing a sustainable source of income for local communities. The project will distribute a total of 178,200 coffee seedlings, consisting of 64,000 Robusta and 114,200 Arabica varieties, to participating farmers on a cost-sharing basis. These seedlings have been carefully selected from nurseries run by the Panbang Youth Cooperative and private entities in Nganglam and Gelephu, ensuring their suitability for the local climate and soil.

The coffee plantations will cover 264 acres of land, involving 665 households across the seven gewogs. This large-scale initiative is part of a broader strategy to introduce high-value crops that can thrive in Zhemgang’s unique climate and terrain, providing a more sustainable and less wildlife-prone alternative to traditional crops. The project is expected to continue into the 13th Five Year Plan, making coffee cultivation a key income-generating and wildlife-friendly activity in the region. Over the next three years, participating farmers can anticipate significant improvements in their living standards, thanks to the economic benefits of coffee farming.

The coffee plantation initiative is a significant step toward boosting Zhemgang Dzongkhag’s local agricultural production and economic development. It aligns with the dzongkhag’s goal of diversifying agriculture and introducing crops that offer better returns and sustainability. In December 2023, a coffee seedling nursery was established in Panbang, managed by the Panbang Youth Cooperative Farm with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Small Grants Programme (SGP). In addition, private nurseries in Nganglam, Panbang, Tingtibi, and Patang have been contracted to cultivate coffee seedlings, creating a robust supply chain to support the project.

This initiative will continue throughout the 13th Five Year Plan, with ongoing efforts to develop the coffee industry in the region. The Dzongdag stated, “The Dzongkhag will support the supply of seedlings on a cost-sharing basis, where farmers will bear 30% of the cost, while the government will cover the remaining 70%. Farmers will also receive capacity-building support in coffee production and post-harvest processes. Furthermore, the coffee growers will be connected to markets in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Marketing and Cooperatives.”

To ensure the success of the coffee plantations, farmers have received extensive training on coffee planting and management from Gewog Extension Officers. “We are constantly monitoring the progress, and more training sessions will be organized in the future,” the Agricultural Officer mentioned. The dzongkhag is committed to continuing this initiative based on farmers’ demand, with a target to plant 300 acres of coffee annually. This initiative is set to become a key income-generating and livelihood-enhancing program for the local community.

Plans are also underway to establish market linkages for the coffee produced in Zhemgang. The dzongkhag is currently working to connect local coffee growers with Bhutan Mountain Cafe in Paro Dzongkhag and the Cottage and Small Industries (CSI) market in Thimphu Dzongkhag. A multi-stakeholder meeting is being planned for November or December this year to finalize these market linkages, bringing together all stakeholders to discuss coffee marketing strategies and address any challenges.

Singye Wangchuk, the Gup of Nangkor Gewog, expressed optimism about the coffee plantation project, noting the enthusiasm of the local residents. “Unlike other agricultural products, coffee is less susceptible to damage from wild animals and requires less intensive care,” he said. This initiative is not only promoting coffee cultivation but is also creating employment opportunities in farming, processing, and marketing, thus enhancing incomes by offering higher wages and the potential for additional revenue through the sale of coffee and value-added products.

After initial hesitance, residents of Trong Gewog have shown renewed interest in coffee cultivation, spurred by growing awareness of its economic potential and strong support from the dzongkhag. Wangay, the Gup of Trong Gewog, highlighted the shift in attitude, noting that initial attempts at coffee plantation in 2018 were met with little enthusiasm due to concerns about market access and profitability. “But now, with the dzongkhag taking significant initiatives and providing in-depth knowledge about the benefits and market opportunities for coffee, the villagers are keen to embrace this crop,” Gup Wangay explained.

One of the key reasons for the shift towards coffee cultivation is the ongoing struggle with wildlife. Many residents have faced difficulties protecting their traditional crops from wild animals, leading to significant losses each year. Coffee plants, however, seem to offer a solution. “Wild animals don’t eat coffee plants, which makes it an attractive alternative for the villagers,” Gup Wangay said. This shift towards coffee is seen as a potential game-changer for the community, providing a more stable income with less labor once the plantations are established. The Gup expressed optimism about the future, stating that they anticipate generating around Nu. 300,000 per acre of coffee in the coming years.

Rinchen Khandu, the Gup of Bardo Gewog, also spoke about the economic benefits of coffee, which is recognized globally as a high-value crop. He emphasized that coffee presents a new and potentially lucrative business opportunity for the region. Although coffee plants typically take three to four years to mature and produce fruit, the long-term economic prospects are promising. The residents are planning to supply locally produced coffee both within Bhutan and potentially for export, aiming to reduce the country’s reliance on imported coffee. “By focusing on local production, we are also working towards generating more employment opportunities for our people,” he added.

Namgyel, the Gup of Goshing Gewog, announced an ambitious plan to develop a 77-acre coffee plantation as part of the broader strategy to enhance the gewog’s economic prospects. The plantation project, implemented on a cost-sharing basis, has already begun with the distribution of saplings to local farmers. “We have seen a lot of excitement among the people. They understand the advantages this plantation will bring to the gewog,” Namgyel said. He emphasized that coffee requires much less maintenance than other crops, making it an ideal choice for the community.

In Phangkhar Gewog, under the leadership of Gup Tashi, the first-ever coffee plantation project has begun. The local residents, though new to coffee cultivation, have fully embraced the initiative, recognizing its potential to provide economic benefits with minimal labor. The community has learned that coffee plants will be ready for harvest in three years, offering a promising boost to the local economy. Market rates indicate they could earn up to Nu 150 per kilogram of coffee, making it a lucrative venture.

Rinchen Tshering, the Gup of Nangla Gewog, emphasized the equitable distribution of coffee seedlings to ensure that every interested household could participate. The local community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, with farmers from all chiwogs showing keen interest in cultivating coffee. Several farmers have already begun expanding their coffee plantations, encouraged by the initial success and the promise of future profits. The coffee plantation initiative is seen as a long-term investment, with significant harvests expected within the next few years.

Beyond direct income from coffee sales, the project is anticipated to bring broader economic benefits to the community, including job creation in processing, packaging, and transportation. “Moreover, the success of this project may inspire further agricultural innovations and diversification in the region,” Tshering noted.

In Bjoka Gewog, Gup Tshering Wangchuk highlighted the community’s enthusiasm for coffee cultivation, spurred by valuable guidance from the Dzongdag and the agricultural extension officer. Previously focused on other cash crops often damaged by wild animals, the residents are now investing in coffee plantations, which require minimal care and management. Gup Wangchuk pointed out that the coffee plant bears fruit in just a few years, and with proper guidance, the community is working towards a promising future.

Looking ahead, Zhemgang Dzongkhag has ambitious plans to expand coffee cultivation fields, as more residents recognize the market value of coffee. The dzongkhag aims to make coffee cultivation a major economic activity, positioning Zhemgang as a leading region for coffee production in Bhutan. This initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in the dzongkhag’s economic development, providing a sustainable and profitable agricultural alternative that can coexist with wildlife conservation efforts.

The coffee plantation project in Zhemgang Dzongkhag represents a significant step towards sustainable agricultural development, economic empowerment, and environmental conservation. By embracing coffee cultivation, the residents of Zhemgang are not only securing a more stable and prosperous future for themselves but also contributing to the broader goal of national economic diversification and sustainability. As the coffee plants begin to bear fruit, the promise of a brighter, more sustainable future for Zhemgang Dzongkhag grows ever closer.