The initiative aims to reduce dependence on wheat import, while maximising productive use of fallow agricultural land
Chencho Dema
Punakha—Three retired civil servants and a private entrepreneur have cultivated wheat in a 28-acre paddy field in Habesa village, Chhubu gewog, Punakha during the winter.
The initiative, led by Jola Enterprise, was launched in October 2024, making the first large-scale commercial wheat farming project by a private entity in the country.
Jola Enterprise leverages its expertise in agricultural engineering, food technology, crop and mushroom production, and business financing.
Pema Dakpa, 55, an expert in agricultural engineering and food technology, is the chief executive officer of the enterprise. In addition to 14 years in civil service experience, he also served a Member of Parliament for a decade.
Kinley Dorji, 45, an agriculturalist with 17 years in the Agriculture Extension Division, oversees crop production. Norbu, 41, a mycologist with 17 years at the National Mushroom Centre, leads mushroom production while Nima, 48, a d business professional with 25 years of experience, manages financial and procurement operations.
According Kinley Dorji, one of the partners, the project aims to reduce the country’s dependence on wheat imports while maximising the productive use of fallow agricultural land. “Wheat cultivation at this scale is a first for Bhutan.”
The enterprise also offers solutions that include supply and maintenance of agricultural and industrial equipment, such as cold storage facilities, food processing systems, greenhouse structures, and irrigation systems.
The company also undertakes turnkey projects in indoor mushroom cultivation, protected cropping, and farm automation.
With the generosity of a local landowner who provided the land free of charge for the trial project, the team began cultivation on November 27 and completed the task in just 13 days.
During this period, they hired 115 local farmers and power tiller operators, providing employment opportunities for the local community.
This initiative also benefits other stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem. “Renting power tillers generated business for the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited, while purchasing seeds supported the National Seed Center by creating a market for their products,” said Kinley Dorji.
However, he noted that the high cost of cultivation—spanning power tiller rentals, seeds, fertilizers, and hiring crop guards—poses major challenge for the fledgling enterprise.
While this season’s harvest aims to meet a portion of local demand from Thimphu, the enterprise’s long-term goal is to expand wheat production on post-paddy wetlands nationwide and establish a wheat flour industry.
“With collaboration with farmers and support from relevant stakeholders, the initiative has the potential to significantly cut Bhutan’s annual wheat import bill, which currently exceeds Nu 330 million,” Kinley Dorji said.
According to the Integrated Agriculture and Livestock Census of Bhutan 2023, Bhutan produced 837 metric tons (MT) of wheat in 2023, which was a slight increase from 2022. However, wheat production in Bhutan has been declining over time, from 1,319 MT in 2019.
Last year, Bhutan imported 8,042,953 kg of wheat and meslin flour from India, valued at Nu 328.3 Million, and 86,502 kg from COTI, worth Nu 5.76 Million. In 2022, Bhutan imported 8,659 metric tons (8,659,000 kilograms) of wheat and meslin flour from India, amounting to Nu 298.28 million.
According to Bhutan Trade Statistics 2021, Bhutan imported 8.9 million kg of wheat and meslin flour from India accounting for Nu 275.61M.
Additionally, in 2023, the Indian government approved the export of 14,184 metric tons of wheat grain, 5,326 metric tons of wheat flour, and 15,226 metric tons of maida or semolina to Bhutan.