Samten wangchuk | intern

Farm Machinery Corporation Limited (FMCL) and B&B Korea Corporation Limited will establish the country’s first bio-fertilizer plant at Athang Gewog, Wangdue beginning next year. The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project yesterday.

The plant’s fertilizer is expected to enhance organic agriculture. This will help to develop socio-economic sectors, particularly in agriculture.

Agriculture Minister, Yeshey Penjore said that while the country has enough landscape and raw materials for bio-fertilizer production, there was a shortage of technical skills which the company would help to address.

The minister said that the country should not depend on imported chemical fertilisers but should enhance producing food without chemicals.

“Through this plant, dependence on imported fertilisers can be reduced. Nutritious and healthy food can be enhanced, and quality fertilisers can be exported which would also help the economy,” he said.

A representative of B&B Korea Corporation Limited, Daedoo Ko said that the plant will get science and technological assistance which would use local and organic raw materials. “I am happy to partner with FMCL to create first-ever organic fertiliser manufacturer in Bhutan”

The domestically produced fertilisers from the animal wastes are not scientifically experimented and the plant with modern technology and will help produce organic fertilizers and sell organic produce in the global market.

FMCL CEO Karma Thinley said that establishing the plant in a remote part of Athang gewog would also enhance the rural economy. “It is profitable as an agricultural-based economy to accept the supports from such a company.”

The plant will occupy 18 acres of land and create jobs for at least 20 youth. “We’re aiming at getting certified at both the local and international levels in producing bio-fertilisers,” an official from FMCL said.

Edited by Tshering Palden