𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐩 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬

…𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔

By Kezang Choden

As of October 31 this year, Bhutan exported a total of 29,163.5 metric tonnes of agricultural and non-wood forestry products to India, Bangladesh, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the United States, France, and Thailand. The highest export of carrot from Phuentsholing was recorded in October with 577 metric tonnes. Meanwhile, farmers in the east experienced a major milestone. For the first time, persimmon and pumpkin were exported from Samdrup Jongkhar and Nganglam gateways. Specifically, 0.25 metric tonnes of persimmon were exported from Samdrup Jongkhar, and 3.5 metric tonnes of pumpkin were exported from Nganglam.

According to farmers, these new export channels have opened opportunities for better prices and improved market access. Many shared that this development has encouraged them to focus more on commercial production, as the export has helped generate additional income for households that depend heavily on agriculture.

Potato export has already exceeded 66 percent of last year’s total volume. However, there was no export of apples this month. If the current trend continues, Bhutan is expected to export only about 70 percent of last year’s total of 1,292.3 metric tonnes. Despite the decline in apple exports, the introduction of new products from Samdrup Jongkhar has brought optimism among farmers in the region. They say the first shipments of persimmon and pumpkin mark a positive shift for eastern growers who have long sought reliable export markets.

Kinley Dorji, the Gup of Norbugang Gewog in Pemagatshel, said that almost all chiwogs in his gewog are now placing greater focus on agriculture, with a noticeable rise in pumpkin cultivation. He explained that in the past, pumpkins were often used as animal feed or kept for household consumption because farmers had limited access to markets.
“Farmers did not see the value of pumpkins before. Without a reliable market, most of the produce went to waste or was fed to cattle,” he said. According to the Gup, farmers are choosing pumpkins because the crop is easy to grow and requires less care compared to other vegetables. It can thrive even in challenging conditions, making it a practical choice for rural households that depend on rain-fed agriculture.

He noted that the growing interest in pumpkin cultivation is also driven by improved market links in recent years. Traders have begun sourcing pumpkins from the gewog, and farmers are seeing an opportunity to earn cash income from a crop that once held little commercial value. Kinley Dorji said that with stronger support from the government, farmers can scale up production and tap into larger markets within the country and abroad. He added that many households have already started expanding their cultivation areas this season.

“With the right support, our farmers are ready to grow more. Pumpkins have good demand and the potential for export,” he said. He said that pumpkin farming could become an additional source of income for rural communities in Norbugang, helping to boost livelihoods while encouraging more youth and farmers to remain engaged in agriculture.
Cheki Wangmo, a resident of Orong Gewog, shared that although she owns only ten persimmon trees, she managed to harvest nearly 80 kilograms of fruit this year.

The harvest brought her a good income, proving that even small-scale orchards can make a meaningful difference for rural households. She said that persimmon has become one of the most reliable seasonal fruits for farmers in her community due to its growing market demand and minimal maintenance requirements. Unlike other crops that often depend heavily on weather conditions, persimmon trees tend to be hardy and yield consistently once they mature.

Encouraged by this year’s earnings, Cheki plans to expand her orchard in the coming year. She believes that with more trees, she can increase her annual income and also contribute to the growing supply of local fruits in the domestic market. Farmers in Orong Gewog have increasingly started exploring high-value crops, and Cheki’s success reflects this shift toward diversified and market-driven agriculture. She said that such opportunities motivate villagers to make better use of their land and adopt crops that offer steady financial returns. Cheki hopes her experience will inspire other farmers, especially women, to take up small-scale fruit cultivation as a sustainable way to support their families.
Jangchub Dorji, the Tshogpa of Morong Chiwog in Orong Gewog, shared that he was able to sell around 300 kilograms of persimmon this year. He currently owns 30 persimmon trees, and the income generated from the harvest has encouraged him to further invest in the persimmon. He said that the growing demand in the market has motivated him to work harder and expand his orchard in the coming seasons.

According to him, persimmon has become one of the most reliable sources of income for farmers in the area, especially as buyers are showing increased interest in local produce. Farmers in Morong have been gradually shifting toward fruit cultivation as they see better returns compared to traditional crops. Jangchub Dorji explained that with proper care and timely harvesting, persimmon can provide a steady income for rural households. He added that he plans to plant more trees next year to take advantage of the favourable market conditions and to encourage other villagers to consider fruit farming as a viable source of livelihood.

The introduction of first-time exports, paired with growing interest in high-value crops, signals a changing landscape for farmers across the eastern region. As pumpkins and persimmons enter regional and international markets for the first time, rural households are beginning to see the benefits of commercial farming beyond traditional commodities. Farmers say these early gains have restored confidence in agriculture at a time when many communities continue to rely heavily on farm income. With improved market access and continued support from authorities, growers believe they can expand production and contribute more meaningfully to the country’s export sector. For many, the recent success is not only a financial boost but also a sign of wider opportunities ahead for Bhutan’s agricultural economy.