𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

…𝑩𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒂 𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆-𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒖𝒑𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒚𝒅𝒓𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕

By Tashi Tshewang

Bunakha Village, located in Chapcha Gewog of Chhukha Dzongkhag, is steadily transforming its agricultural landscape through its first commercial greenhouse initiative, which began in September this year. The project, designed to boost local food production and support the upcoming 180 MW Bunakha Hydro Project, marks a significant step toward modern, climate-smart, and commercially oriented cultivation practices in the community. With the installation of twelve high-quality greenhouses, each measuring 20 meters by 5 meters, the initiative reflects both ambition and careful planning aimed at improving livelihoods and ensuring sustainable production.

Focusing primarily on tomatoes and small chilli, two crops chosen for their strong market demand and profitability, the greenhouse initiative aims to provide a reliable, year-round supply of fresh produce for the hydro project while simultaneously increasing household incomes for local residents. Situated in an agro-climatically favorable zone, Bunakha Village offers ideal conditions for greenhouse operations. The controlled environment enables year-round production and protects crops from unpredictable weather, pests, dust, and wild animals, which have historically affected yields and quality. For the local community, this is a major step toward reducing reliance on imported vegetables and building a more self-sufficient food system.

The project is being implemented through a multi-layered collaboration involving key stakeholders. The Chhukha Dzongkhag Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock lead the initiative, while technical guidance is provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ensuring that modern and effective techniques are adopted. Financial support from the European Union has been crucial in setting up the greenhouses and providing initial inputs. Additionally, the National Centre for Organic Agriculture (NCOA) is actively assisting the community in planning, input supply, and training residents to manage the greenhouses effectively, ensuring that the project is implemented on time and meets its intended objectives.

For the villagers of Bunakha, the greenhouses represent more than infrastructure; they symbolize opportunity, resilience, and hope. Residents are now able to grow vegetables throughout the year, securing income even during traditionally lean months. With the upcoming hydro project expected to attract workers and visitors, the demand for fresh, locally grown produce is anticipated to rise, creating new market opportunities for the community. Early reports suggest that the villagers are taking diligent care of the greenhouses, learning the nuances of modern cultivation, and actively planning to expand production in the future.

An FAO representative said, “The Bunakha greenhouse initiative directly contributes to FAO’s goal of promoting sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient agrifood systems in Bhutan. It supports national priorities under the Food Systems Transformation Pathway and aligns with the Hand-in-Hand Initiative’s focus on improving livelihoods, reducing rural poverty, and enhancing food security.”

The representative emphasized that the project goes beyond infrastructure delivery; it reflects a shared vision to transform Bhutan’s agriculture into a more productive, environmentally responsible, and market-oriented sector. Through close collaboration with the Chhukha Dzongkhag Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and the local farming community, FAO aims to strengthen institutional capacity, empower farmers with technical knowledge, and build long-term resilience against climate change. The initiative also demonstrates how international partnerships, when aligned with national strategies, can create tangible local impact and foster innovation in rural economies.

The representative added, “Such projects generate valuable lessons on cost-effective greenhouse construction using locally available materials, community-based management, and efficient use of water and energy resources. Farmer-led innovation in crop diversification, adoption of climate-smart technologies, and the inclusion of women and youth in agribusiness will help scale up greenhouse farming in other regions to strengthen food and income security.”
The Gup of Chapcha said, “The greenhouse has really brought a lot of happiness to the people here. Earlier, growing vegetables during winter was almost impossible, and even in summer, the crops would sometimes get damaged. But now, with this greenhouse, we can cultivate vegetables all year round. It has completely changed how we look at farming here.”

He added, “What excites me most is that with the hydro project, there will be many customers coming to buy our vegetables. This means our farmers can earn a steady income and improve their livelihoods. Since greenhouses are still a new concept for our community, people are learning how important they are and are taking great care of them. They understand that this is not just about growing vegetables, it is now a source of income, hope, and a better future for everyone here. We are committed to making the most of it, and I believe that with time, this initiative will inspire more sustainable farming practices across the region.”

Damcho, a villager from Bunakha, shared, “The construction of the greenhouse in Bunakha is a huge step forward for our community. It is already helping the people here, and I feel proud to be part of this change. From next year, with the 180 MW hydro power project coming up, not only will our local residents benefit, but people from across the country and even from around the world will come to see what we are doing here.”

He continued with determination, “We are extremely thankful for the support from the government and everyone involved. We will not let this effort go to waste. This is just the beginning; we are committed to constantly improving our agricultural practices. Our goal is simple but important: to make sure fresh vegetables grown here reach every corner, benefiting not only our village but the entire region. We believe that with dedication and hard work, Bunakha can become a model for sustainable agriculture in the country.”

The greenhouse initiative is becoming a game-changer for local agriculture. By providing a controlled environment, it allows villagers to grow vegetables irrespective of seasonal changes. It protects crops from dust, harsh weather, and wild animals, ensuring better quality and more reliable yields. With the upcoming 180 MW hydro power project, the demand for fresh produce is expected to increase, creating promising economic opportunities for the villagers.

In essence, the Bunakha greenhouse initiative is more than a project; it is a transformative venture that combines economic development, climate-smart practices, and community empowerment. By leveraging modern techniques and fostering collaboration between local authorities, national agencies, and international partners, Bunakha Village is setting an example for other communities in Bhutan seeking to strengthen food security, improve livelihoods, and embrace sustainable and innovative agricultural solutions.