DoL

30th June 2025: Her Excellency Ms. Mateja Vodeb Ghosh, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Bhutan, visited the Department of Livestock on 30th June 2025. Her Excellency was received by the officials of the Department. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Bhutan and Slovenia in the development of the apiculture sector.

During the discussions, the Department of Livestock underscored the growing importance of apiculture farming in Bhutan, highlighting the country’s increasing investment and strategic focus on this sector. Recognized as a high-value livestock commodity, honey and related products have been identified as a priority under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. Key areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration in the Apiculture sector between the two countries were explored.

To institutionalize the collaboration, the Department proposed the establishment of a formal partnership mechanism through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This long-term framework would clearly define roles, responsibilities, and structured deliverables to support sustainable apiculture development.

The Department also emphasized the urgent need to establish domestic honey testing and certification facilities, alongside robust capacity-building programs and knowledge exchange platforms for beekeepers and professionals. Strengthening apiculture research and advancing queen breeding and genetic improvement initiatives were highlighted as critical to ensuring quality assurance and the long-term sustainability of the honey sector. Honey has been designated as a Geographical Indication (GI) product and is expected to contribute significantly to the livestock sector’s share of the national GDP.

Her Excellency acknowledged the importance of the proposals and expressed her strong support for the initiatives. She assured that the proposals would be conveyed to the Slovenian Government and pursued further through her successor to ensure continuity and sustained cooperation in this sector.

The Department of Livestock extends its sincere appreciation to Her Excellency for her keen interest and support in promoting sustainable apiculture development in Bhutan. The Department looks forward to fostering a fruitful and enduring partnership with Slovenia in the years ahead.

 

During the successful conduct of the 5th General Assembly of the Bhutan Yak Federation (BYF) held in Bumthang on 23rd May 2025, new office bearers were elected to lead and oversee the operations of the Federation for the coming term.

The election was conducted among the 16 members representing 12 registered yak cooperatives and three yak-rearing groups from across the highlands of Bhutan. The members unanimously elected the following individuals to serve as the new office bearers of the Federation:

• Chairperson: Mr. Sonam Dorji, representing Haa Lung Lanor Nyamlay Tshogdey, Haa
• Secretary: Mr. Lobzang Tashi, representing Aum Jomo Nanor Nyamlay Tshogdey, Trashigang
• Treasurer: Mr. Kinley Dorji, representing Laya Lanor Nyamlay Tshogdey, Gasa

These newly elected leaders will oversee the overall functioning and management of the Bhutan Yak Federation at the national level, providing strategic direction, strengthening coordination among yak cooperatives, and representing the collective voice of highland yak herders.

The Bhutan Yak Federation (BYF), established on April 26, 2021, serves as the apex body of yak herders across 10 districts, encompassing 12 cooperatives with a total of 445 members. The Federation plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable yak farming, protecting alpine rangelands, and enabling policy advocacy and market engagement for highland communities.

The Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, congratulates the newly elected office bearers and looks forward to continued collaboration in ensuring a vibrant and resilient future for Bhutan’s yak farming sector.