DoL

The Department of Livestock with support from the EU-funded Technical Assistance for Agrifood Systems, and administered by FAO BT, recently trained more than one hundred farmers on the installation, operation and maintenance of biogas systems. The training was facilitated by resource persons from the National Dairy Development Centre under the Department of Livestock and was attended by farmers from Trongsa and Punakha Dzongkhags, along with identified Gewog Livestock Supervisors who also serve as biogas focal persons in these two Dzongkhags. The program was conducted in Trongsa.

Since the introduction of the biogas program in 2011, thousands of units have been installed across the country, with many households already benefiting from clean energy for cooking and heating. The Department will support a total of 5000 family sized biodigesters during the 13th Plan period, which will include both new installations and the renovation of existing units. Alongside household units, medium scale biodigesters have also been established in government and private livestock farms, helping to manage waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supply renewable energy for farm operations.

The benefits of biogas are wide ranging. Farmers gain from access to clean energy, reduced reliance on firewood, improved waste management and nutrient rich organic fertilizer that enhances soil fertility. On a larger scale, biogas directly contributes to Bhutan’s national goals of renewable energy development and climate change mitigation.

In recent years, new models of biodigesters are also being introduced to the country. Prefabricated fiber reinforced digesters and SISTEMA.Bio digesters are being piloted in different Dzongkhags. The SISTEMA.Bio initiative, introduced in collaboration with the Bhutan Ecological Society, has shown encouraging results in improving efficiency and ease of use for farmers. These innovations are expected to further expand adoption and make biogas technology more accessible, reliable and farmer friendly.

The training program is therefore more than a technical exercise. It equips farmers with practical skills while also strengthening their role in building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for Bhutan.

A herringbone milking machine has been installed at the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC), Bumthang with support from FAO’s Technical Cooperation Program. The herringbone system is a modern milking facility designed to handle several cows at a time in an organized and hygienic manner. It ensures faster and more efficient milking, maintains high standards of milk quality, and reduces stress for both the animals and the handlers. For a nucleus cattle farm, where the focus is on maintaining pure bloodlines and high genetic materials, such a system is essential to manage larger herds effectively and guarantee consistency in milk recording and breeding programs.

As envisioned under the 13th Five Year Plan of the Department of Livestock, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀. The herd will serve as the country’s nucleus, supplying 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝟯𝟬 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀 (𝗘𝗛𝗕𝗦) 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻. These schemes will further multiply quality stock into commercial heifers for farmers, ensuring that high-yielding and productive dairy cattle are accessible at the farm level.

This intervention is not only about modernizing infrastructure but also about strengthening the foundation of dairy breed intensification. By combining advanced facilities like the herringbone milking system with systematic breeding practices, Bhutan is investing in a stronger national herd, greater milk self-sufficiency, and improved livelihoods for farming communities.