𝐒𝐞𝐤𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬

…𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑯𝒂𝒂’𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒘𝒐𝒈𝒔

By Kezang Choden

A major initiative to uplift one of Bhutan’s most remote and vulnerable communities was launched at Sektena Chiwog under Gakiling Gewog, Haa Dzongkhag. The Organization for Youth Empowerment (OYE), in partnership with the Dzongkhag Administration Haa and Gakiling Gewog Administration, introduced the Sektena Livelihood Enhancement Project with funding support from the Government of India through Project Tied Assistance (GOI/PTA) and co-financing from the gewog administration.

Sektena, with 59 households and a population of 358, has long faced challenges of poverty, water scarcity, youth migration, and human-wildlife conflict. The project seeks to address these issues by equipping rural youth with agricultural and entrepreneurial skills, improving irrigation and drinking water systems, and promoting new livelihood opportunities such as poultry, piggery, fish farming, coffee cultivation, and beekeeping.

The Executive Director of OYE, Nima Gyeltshen, said the initiative launched in Sektena is aimed not only at improving farming systems but also at restoring the confidence and hope of young people in the chiwog. He explained that the project is designed to make rural life dignified, sustainable, and rewarding. According to him, empowering rural youth is at the heart of the program, and it is as much about building resilience and pride among farmers as it is about upgrading agricultural practices. “This initiative is not just about farming. It is about making young people believe that rural life can offer them the same sense of dignity and opportunity as urban centers. Our aim is to inspire them to see value in staying back in their communities and contributing to the growth of the village,” Nima Gyeltshen said.

The program places emphasis on enhancing the social impact of rural communities. By introducing improved farming methods, creating employment opportunities, and promoting self-reliance, OYE hopes to respond to the growing challenge of rural-to-urban migration. Officials believe the project will not only improve living standards in Sektena but also serve as a model for other remote chiwogs facing similar struggles. Residents welcomed the initiative with optimism, noting that such support would help strengthen the rural economy and motivate young people to remain engaged in farming and community development.

Wang Tshering, the Gup of Gakiling Gewog, expressed appreciation for the second initiative launched by OYE. He said such programs are a blessing for the people of Sektena, which remains one of the most remote chiwogs under Gakiling Gewog. The Gup explained that the gewog’s annual budget is often too limited to address the needs of all communities equally. Because of this, projects supported by external partners play a crucial role in uplifting vulnerable chiwogs like Sektena. “Our gewog cannot always extend support to every corner, but with initiatives like this, people in remote areas also get the opportunity to benefit,” he said.

The Gup also underlined the importance of building exposure and skills for youth. Plans are underway to send young people from Sektena and other parts of the gewog to different dzongkhags for training and practical experience. According to him, such opportunities will not only empower them with knowledge but also prepare them to contribute more effectively to their communities. He added that long-term investment in youth is vital to sustain development in remote areas. With proper training and exposure, he believes the younger generation will become the driving force for progress in Sektena and the gewog.

Transporting agricultural products to markets remains difficult for Sektena due to poor road conditions and limited transport facilities. This has left many residents discouraged, with some scaling back their farming activities. Despite these obstacles, Santa Bahadur Rai, a 29-year-old farmer, has set an example in the community. He was the first resident of Sektena to establish a poultry and piggery farm, an initiative he began four years ago. Today, his farm houses 40 pigs and more than 100 hens, making it one of the more promising ventures in the chiwog. Rai said the challenges go beyond transportation. The shortage of irrigation water has made paddy cultivation increasingly difficult, with several households leaving fields fallow during the planting season. This, he explained, has affected both food security and household income in the chiwog.

Nevertheless, Rai remains hopeful. He recently participated in a one-day training program organized by OYE, which provided new knowledge and techniques to improve farm management, enhance productivity, and explore sustainable solutions. He said such programs give hope to farmers determined to overcome hardships and build stronger livelihoods. His experience reflects both the difficulties and resilience of rural farmers in remote areas. While road and irrigation issues continue to hinder agricultural growth, the willingness of young people to adopt modern practices indicates potential for change.

For 28-year-old Kumari Rai, agriculture has always been the foundation of her family’s livelihood. Until recently, her family relied mainly on cardamom as their primary cash crop. With support from the new initiative in the chiwog, Kumari has now ventured into mushroom cultivation, a practice she believes will help her family sustain themselves more securely. She explained that cardamom farming had been difficult due to declining yields and challenges in marketing produce. “We have always faced problems with transportation and roads. Even if we grow, we cannot easily sell because the markets are far and not accessible. But with mushrooms, I feel it will be easier to manage,” Kumari said.

She added that mushroom cultivation requires less space, is easier to maintain, and can generate income more quickly compared to cardamom. “For me, it is not only about income but also about being able to support my family without depending too much on outside help,” she said. Like Kumari, many residents of Sektena face similar struggles. Poor road conditions and the absence of reliable market access make it difficult to sell farm produce. Villagers often feel discouraged when their hard work does not bring the expected return. Residents believe that with improved road connectivity and market facilities, farming in the chiwog could become more rewarding.

In addition, a youth-led steering committee and agricultural cooperative will be established to strengthen community resilience and ensure long-term sustainability. The project supports the priorities of Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-2029), particularly in rural development, agricultural modernization, and youth employment. With a total cost of Nu. 7.164 million, the project also benefits from Nu. 1.823 million in co-financing committed by Gakiling Gewog Administration.