𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: As Bhutan aspires to achieve 100% organic agriculture, challenges such as limited market accessibility for organic growers and the lack of premium pricing for organic products continue to hinder progress. In response, a consultation meeting led by Department of Agriculture and Marketing Cooperation (DAMC) was held between National Centre for Organic Agriculture (NCOA), Organic Farmers Group, Extension Agents, Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), National Soil Service Centre (NSSC), Bio-Bhutan, and Agriculture Aggregators at National Centre for Organic Agriculture with primary objective to facilitate the organic products after establishing an organic sales outlet at Kaja Throm. The consultation aimed to foster collaboration among the stakeholders to strengthen the organic agriculture market chain and enhance market access for organic farmers in Bhutan.
The Organic sales outlet at Kaja Throm will be inaugurated on 2nd June, 2025, with funding support from JICA. Bio-Bhutan will operate the outlet, and it was emphasized that:
- Only certified organic products and produce, either through the Local Organic Assurance System (LOAS) or BFDA’s third-party certification, will be allowed for sale to build consumer trust and confidence.
- The seller will source organic products only from producers who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with them to ensure traceability and authenticity.
- The organic sales outlet is to incorporate bio-inputs as part of its product range to support organic farming practices.
- All products sold through the outlet must be properly labelled with the Bhutan Organic Mark and a QR code for verification and authentication.
- An Agriculture Aggregator are to collect organic products from farmers and deliver them to the sales outlet.
- A Terms of Reference (TOR) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to be developed for aggregators to prevent the mixing of organic and inorganic products.
Bio-Bhutan will not only sell organic products in Kaja Throm, but also supply to expatriate workers living in Thimphu and other high-end local markets. Although the initiative is looking forward to some premium price for the farmers, a competitive price will be maintained at Kaja Throm concerning the price of the conventional products. Thus, the establishment of this organic sales outlet is expected to provide a reliable and transparent market platform for organic farmers while promoting the Bhutan’s vision of a sustainable organic agriculture system. The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders aim to create a stronger market chain that benefits both producers and consumers through assured quality and fair market access.
The consultation meeting concluded with a visit to the bio-inputs demonstration site and other research activities at NCOA.
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