November 17, 2025

Smallholder farmers play a vital role in ensuring local food security. However, challenges such as water scarcity, labour shortages, limited market access, and inadequate modern farming equipment continue to constrain agricultural productivity and growth.

To help address the issue of labour shortages, the Bhutan Foundation, in partnership with the Zhemgang District Administration, has supported eight power tillers and three mini tillers to 11 functional and registered farmer groups on a cost-sharing basis. These farmer groups are linked to schools to supply fresh vegetables and fruits under the school and hospital feeding program. This initiative aims to ease labour constraints, enhance efficiency, and improve agricultural productivity in the district. The power tillers are expected to benefit over 1000 smallholder farmers through subsidized hiring services, contributing to higher yields and more sustainable farming practices.

The power tillers were handed over to the farmers during the Bhutan Bird Festival 2025 by the Hon’ble Speaker, National Assembly of Bhutan, Dasho Dzongdag (District Governor), officials from the Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector, local leaders, and farmers from the Zhemgang District. In his remarks, His Excellency underscored the importance of ownership, accountability, and collaboration as key elements for driving positive community transformation.

This collaborative initiative marks an important step toward sustainable agricultural development, supporting the district’s goal of achieving food self-sufficiency while empowering local farmers to build more resilient and prosperous livelihoods.