01/11/2025
๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข-๐๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง๐ , ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฃ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ค๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ โ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐
1st November 2025, Samdrup Jongkhar: The Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC) successfully inaugurated the Eastern Region Agri-Trade Fair 2025 at Tendrelthang, Samdrupjongkhar, coinciding with the auspicious Coronation Day of His Majesty The Fifth Druk Gyalpo and the national celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, held under the global theme โCooperatives Build a Better World.โ
The Opening Ceremony on 1st November 2025 was graced by the Honโble Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Dasho Dzongda, Hon'ble Dasho Member of Paeliment from the Eastern Dzongkhags, Dasho Thrompon, Dasho Drangpon, Lam Neten, regional heads, and officials from Samdrupjongkhar Dzongkhag.
The ceremony began with the Marchang offering and Zhabtoen for His Majestyโs long life, followed by a celebratory cake-cutting. A key highlight was the awarding of the six Best Farmer Groups and Cooperatives from the eastern Dzongkhags, recognizing their exemplary contributions to cooperative development and rural prosperity.
During the ceremony, Honโble Minister for Agriculture and Livestock emphasized the power of cooperation, farmer empowerment, and market linkages, highlighting the importance of strong cooperatives, publicโprivate partnerships, and regional trade in building a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural sector for Bhutan. Dasho Dzongda highlighted the crucial role of cooperatives and farmer groups in strengthening Bhutanโs rural economy and promoting self-reliance, while also noting that the fair provides a platform for farmers, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, and buyers to build market linkages, trade partnerships, and celebrate the cooperative spirit.
The fair features 14 exhibition and sales stalls, showcasing a diverse range of local agricultural and artisanal products. The participating farmer groups, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs are:
Khamthangma Cotton Products
Abchi Himalayan Products
Himalayan Wine
Merak Sakteng Zoetey Cooperative
Gangzur Earthen Pottery
Entrepreneur BhutanMarket
Borganic
Drametse Womenโs Group (Candies & Wine)
BAIL
Samjong Cooperative
Sharshok Womenโs Group
Urka Processing Unit
Radhi Buray
Samdrupjonghkar Initiatives
This is the first-ever Agri-Trade Fair of its kind in Eastern Bhutan, and DAMC is committed to continuing such platforms to promote local agri-products, strengthen market access, and empower groups and cooperatives across the region.