7 June 2025 | Nganglam Central School, Pema Gatshel: Hon’ble Agriculture Minister, Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, graced the handing-over ceremony as the Chief Guest and officially handed over a total of 416 Mini Power Tillers to DT Thridzins of six eastern Dzongkhag inlcuding 15 to individual farmers from Nganglam Drungkhag who attended the function.
In his address, Hon’ble Lyonpo emphasized that the mini power tillers are user-friendly and easy to operate, making them especially suitable for Bhutan’s rural communities located in rugged terrains, where many households are headed by women. “Even women and elderly farmers can now easily plough their fields,” Lyonpo stated. Further, he said that the initiative is intended to enable transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, thereby enhancing income generation and improving rural livelihoods. Lyonpo said, this initiative is expected to address one of the pressing challenges that farming sector faces – shortage of farm labour. He added that with Mini Tillers, it will reduce drudgery in the farming.
The mini power tillers are provided under the Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP), funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Lyonpo also took time to interact with the students of Nganglam Central School, encouraging them to value education, study hard, and aspire to become future leaders of Bhutan. Lyonpo also advised the students to be grateful to the blessings of successive kings for their enlightened leadership; the parents for their parental love and support; and the teachers for educating them. Lyonpo also thanked the teachers and other civil servants for their commitment and service to the nation, and urged them to continue serving Tsa Wa Sum with sincerity, loyalty and dedication.
