In order to strengthen Bhutan’s agrifood sector and advance sustainable agriculture, the National Centre for Organic Agriculture (NCOA) and FAO Bhutan collaboratively organized a five-day capacity-building workshop on organic regulations and certification. Held in Bumthang Dzongkhag from July 20 to July 24, 2026, the training targeted 20 participants, including Dzongkhag Organic Focals, Gewog Extension Officers, and Dzongkhag Agriculture Officers.
Addressing Gaps in the Organic Value Chain
Under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s (MoAL) 13th Five-Year Plan (2024–2029), the Department of Agriculture aims to boost the export of high-value organic commodities like asparagus and broccoli. However, the sector faces several hurdles, such as limited awareness of certification systems, lack of understanding regarding the Bhutan Organic Standard (BOS), pest and disease management issues, limited availability of alternative bio-inputs, and restricted market access.
While NCOA previously trained staff during the 12th Five-Year Plan, personnel transfers and exits created a knowledge gap among local agriculture teams. Supported by budgetary funding under the EU Technical Assistance for Agrifood Systems (EU TAAS) project, this training directly equipped extension officers with the tools needed to guide local farmers effectively.
Key Program Highlights
The intensive 5-day program provided participants with both theoretical foundation and practical tools across five key modules:
Understanding Organic Agriculture & Certification Systems: Participants explored the history, status, and principles of organic agriculture in Bhutan. Discussions focused on the Bhutan Organic Guarantee System (BOGS)—the national framework governing standards and verification—and the Local Organic Assurance System (LOAS).
BOS Compliance & Farm Documentation: Facilitators from NCOA walked participants through the Bhutan Organic Standard (BOS) across crop production, mushroom production, animal husbandry, and social welfare. Participants were trained on maintaining the mandatory Organic Farm Diary for traceability and establishing an Internal Control System (ICS) for group operators to streamline peer reviews and lower certification costs prior to external inspections.
Soil Fertility & Plant Protection Management: Sessions covered organic soil fertility management (composting, Bokashi, Jeevamruth) and bio-plant protection solutions (botanical extracts, Jholmol 3) accompanied by technical documentaries.
Third-Party Certification Standards: Officials from the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) detailed third-party certification procedures under the ISO/IEC 17065 standards and guided participants on standard mark regulations.
Field Application & Strategic Discussions: The final day featured field visits to local organic enterprises, including Bhutan Herbal Tea, and organic strawberry farms allowing participants to evaluate field realities and compliance with BOS standards. The program concluded with reflection sessions addressing practical field challenges, including strategies to improve documentation, scale market-oriented organic adoption, and encourage private sector involvement to address bio-input shortages.
By empowering Dzongkhag Organic Focal through this training, NCOA and FAO Bhutan continue to ensure that local agricultural personnel are well-equipped to bridge the gap between national organic standards and everyday farm management practices.
By: Kinzang Dorji , PRCP
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