𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐓𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬

…𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒑 𝒚𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅

By Tashi Namgyel

A renewed push toward agricultural mechanization is steadily gaining momentum in Chapcha Gewog following a successful demonstration of an improved potato seeding machine attended by 55 local farmers. The event marks a significant milestone under the five-year RNR Jobs Project, which aims to modernize farming practices, strengthen value chains, and create employment opportunities in Bhutan’s renewable natural resources sector.

The demonstration was organized through a collaborative effort involving the Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector, the Potato Program, and the Agriculture Machinery and Technology Centre. It showcased an improved potato seeding attachment designed to be mounted onto mini-tillers, machines already widely used by farmers in Chapcha Gewog. Around 50 farmers in the gewog currently own or operate mini-tillers, making the new technology both practical and cost-effective for local adoption.

Tobgay, Gup of Chapcha Gewog, explained that the improved seeder is intended to reduce the heavy labour burden traditionally associated with potato cultivation, particularly during the planting season. By mechanizing the seeding process, farmers can significantly cut down the time required for planting while also ensuring more uniform spacing and depth, which can lead to improved crop performance and yields.

Potato cultivation forms the backbone of Shemagangkha Chiwog’s rural economy. Nearly 99 percent of households in the chiwog rely on potato farming as their primary source of income. According to Shemagangkha Tshogpa Dawa Gyem, the chiwog comprises 139 households cultivating more than 500 acres of agricultural land, with potatoes accounting for the largest share of production.

“Almost all households here depend on potato cultivation for their livelihood,” Dawa Gyem said. “The introduction of such advanced machines will greatly reduce labour requirements, save time, and improve productivity. However, affordability remains a concern, and we would appreciate cost-sharing support from the concerned authorities to help farmers adopt these technologies.”

Farmers who attended the demonstration expressed strong interest in the improved seeder, noting that potato farming in the gewog remains largely dependent on manual labour. Planting and harvesting are still carried out using traditional methods, which are both time-consuming and physically demanding, especially given the hilly terrain and scattered farmlands characteristic of the area.

Many farmers highlighted that labour shortages have become an increasingly serious challenge in recent years, particularly during peak agricultural seasons. Outmigration, rising labour costs, and competition from other sectors have made it difficult for households to mobilize sufficient manpower for timely farm operations.
Sangay Dorji, one of the farmers who participated in the demonstration, said the new equipment could help ease these pressures considerably.

He said, “One potato seeding machine can replace the work of about 12 to 15 labourers. This will not only save time but also reduce costs, especially during seasons when labour is scarce.”
In addition to the seeding attachment, several farmers emphasized the need for compatible potato harvesters or diggers to further reduce labour-intensive practices. While mechanized seeding addresses one critical stage of production, harvesting remains one of the most physically demanding tasks in potato farming.

Agriculture officials acknowledged these concerns and noted that Chapcha Gewog’s relatively high level of mini-tiller usage provides a strong foundation for the phased introduction of additional mechanization tools, including digger and harvester attachments. By building on existing machinery, authorities hope to promote sustainable adoption while minimizing financial risks for farmers.

According to officials, mechanization is expected to enhance overall farm efficiency, standardize cultivation practices, improve produce quality, and lower production costs in the long run. These improvements are seen as critical for maintaining the competitiveness of Bhutanese potatoes in both domestic and potential export markets.
The initiative forms part of the broader RNR Jobs Project (2025–2030), which focuses on strengthening key agricultural value chains while generating employment opportunities across the renewable natural resources sector. Under the project, potatoes have been identified as a priority commodity due to their economic importance and widespread cultivation.

Officials said detailed work plans for the fiscal year 2026–27 are currently being developed and will outline implementation timelines, training programs, pilot initiatives, and resource allocation. Initial phases are expected to focus on capacity building, hands-on training for farmers, and the establishment of support infrastructure to ensure effective use and maintenance of machinery.

Farmers in Chapcha can expect a gradual but consistent rollout of mechanization technologies over the next three to four years. Authorities also believe that modernizing farming practices will help make agriculture more attractive to young people by reducing physical strain and improving economic returns.

As mechanization efforts continue to expand, stakeholders remain hopeful that these initiatives will transform potato farming in Chapcha into a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable rural enterprise- one that can secure livelihoods, address labour challenges, and support long-term agricultural development in the region.