THIMPHU: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) is investing in large commercial projects such as Chirub Farms and the Yarjugang Open-Air Prison (OAP) Farm to reduce food imports and keep up with rapid urbanisation.
The initiative aims to increase local food production, create jobs and make farming more sustainable and profitable.
MoAL Minister Younten Phuntsho said the initiative was designed to help urban households supplement access to fresh produce while preparing for future disruptions. “The concept is steadily gaining popularity, with many dedicated farms emerging in urban areas.”
Urban gardening has also grown at the household level, with about 300 registered urban gardeners in Thimphu, including civil servants, schools, and armed forces personnel.
As per the Urban and peri-urban farming (UPUF) plan and framework, a proposed Nu 20 million (US$215,212) investment between 2024 and 2029 will support expansion in urban centres including Thimphu, Paro, Chukha, Sarpang, Samtse, Samdrupjongkhar, Tsirang, Trashigang, Mongar, Bumthang, Punakha and Wangdue.
Funds will be used for land development, greenhouses, smart irrigation, mechanisation and training across 15 sites covering 65 acres.
Despite challenges in the Land User Certificate and co-operative farming programmes, Lyonpo said the government-beneficiary cost-sharing mechanism has improved ownership and commercialisation.
“The government is working on improving the cost-sharing mechanism to make it more engaging,” he said. “Prospective farmers, including educated youth, are now more willing to engage in farming activities within urban and peri-urban areas.”
Mega farms
While UPUF promotes decentralised production, the government is piloting large-scale farms such as Chirub and Yarjugang OAP.
With the support of Nu 427.01 million from the Government of India, funded projects are designed as commercial enterprises rather than welfare programmes.
Saha Bir Rai, Chief of the Agriculture Research and Innovation Division at DoA said the farms are being developed as turnkey projects. “All infrastructure and systems will be fully functional beforehand, reducing risks during transition.”
Under a structured plan, DoA will provide technical oversight, while Desuung Headquarters manages daily operations, staffing, and finances. Land User Certificates have been secured in the name of Desuung Headquarters to ensure long-term sustainability.
The farms are expected to produce around 341 metric tonnes annually, generating revenues between Nu 15 million and Nu 20 million, with a projected break-even point within six years.
Key crops include vegetables such as chilli, tomato, and onion, alongside high-value fruits like mango, seedless lime, macadamia, and dragon fruit.
Value-chain integration links production with aggregation, processing, and marketing to reduce post-harvest losses and price volatility.
These farms integrate protected cultivation through mega polyhouses, open-field production and livestock farming.
The Pemathang Gyalsung Academy is expected to serve as the primary buyer for Chirub Farms, while the Yarjugang OAP Farm will supply produce to the Royal Bhutan Police and associated institutions. Secondary markets include Gelephu Mindfulness City and other domestic outlets.
Skills and rehabilitation
Beyond production, the farms serve as training hubs for youth and vulnerable groups. At Chirub Farms, Desuups and young participants receive hands-on training in modern agricultural practices and farm management.
The Yarjugang OAP Farm engages around 300 inmates in agriculture and vocational training, including masonry, carpentry and tailoring.
“This is about dignity of work and reintegration,” Lyonpo said. “We want inmates to leave with skills, discipline, and confidence.” Upon release, former inmates will access land, credit and services through existing national systems.
The government is monitoring these pilots to assess scalability, focusing on productivity, income generation, employment, technology adoption and value-chain effectiveness. “We are learning from these pilot projects. What works well will be scaled up,” Lyonpo said.
Plans under the 13th Plan include additional high-tech Chirub Farms, commercial farms through private participation, and a 435-acre large-scale farm at Yarjugang in Wangdue, with a budget of Nu 250 million. Total planned investment for these expansions exceeds Nu 974.12 million.
Construction progress
Construction of the current farms is underway, with land development, fencing, and orchard establishment completed over more than eight acres, and fifteen mega greenhouses under construction.
Procurement of machinery is also in progress to meet labour constraints. “Most of the work will be finished by the end of this year,” Saha Bir Rai said. “
However, some facilities including Desuup quarters, cold storage units, and storage sheds are underway. As a result, the project timeline has been extended to 2027 from the original completion target of December 2026. - Kuensel/ANN
