Brief Business Plan on Vegetable

Cultivation and Growing of Fruit Trees at

Wangsisina, Thimphu

Kuenphen Farming Group

Submitted By:

Mr. Chencho Gyeltshen

Project Manager, Kuenphen Farming Group
Contact: 17411991
 Table of Contents
Project proposal in nutshell.......................................................................................................................... 1
Executive Summary..................................................................................................................................... 2
Outline of Kuenphen Farming Group........................................................................................................... 2
Objective of the Agricultural Farming........................................................................................................... 2
Agricultural Land Proposed for Lease.......................................................................................................... 3
Farm Produce proposed for Cultivation....................................................................................................... 3
Farming Machinery/Tools............................................................................................................................ 3
Funding Support.......................................................................................................................................... 4
Support Required from MoAF...................................................................................................................... 4
Benefits/Impacts.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Way Forward............................................................................................................................................... 5
Contact Details of the Project Manager....................................................................................................... 5
KUENPHEN FARMING GROUP: An agricultural farming project proposal

Project proposal in nutshell

Project Title: Agricultural Farming

Executing Agency/Group: Kuenphen Farming Group

Implementing Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (land development, irrigation,

Partner/Supporter: fencing, seeds & seedlings, fencing and technical support)
M/s Kuenphen Group of Companies

Target Beneficiaries: Individuals working in tourism sector whose livelihood has been
impacted by COVID-19 pandemic (5 members)

Office: Main Office: Kuenphen Automobiles, Olahaka

Site Office: To be set up at project site, Wangsisina based on the
need.

Proposed land for project: About 15 acres land of Zhung Dratshang at Wangsisina, Thimphu
Bhutan.

Objectives: To enable fresh vegetables and fruits production and supply for sale
within the country at reasonable price.

Funding: M/s Kuenphen Group of Companies (basic financial support)

Estimated Total Cost: Nu. 2,000,000/- approximately

Start Date: When MoAF agrees to support the farming group in developing the
land and other necessary supports after necessary verification.

Impact/Benefits: Socio-economic impacts on the individuals working in tourism sector

impacted by COVID-19 pandemic and creation of employment
opportunities for the Group Members and others.

Output: Accessible to fresh farm vegetables and fruits grown in the county at
affordable and reasonable price.

Management Structure: Chairperson: Mr. Thukten Lhendrup

Project Manager: Mr. Chencho Gyeltshen

Implementation Way 1. Sign land lease agreement with Zhung Dratshang as per the
forward: terms and conditions set in the Land Lease Rules and
Regulations of Bhutan.
2. To get assistance from MoAF in land development, irrigation
facilities, green-house, seeds & seedlings, fencing and other
technical support.

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Executive Summary

Year 2019 has been a very different one with an emergence of corona virus which have impacted
the lives of people across the world. Bhutan has not been an exception as the COVID-19 greatly
impacted our economy, employment opportunities and many more with tourism sector the most
affected sector.

I have been working in the tourism sector for one and half decade and unfortunately this year the
whole world tourism business had been affected by the outbreak of corona virus (COVID-19
pandemic) rendering those working in tourism sector like us with no jobs and source of income to
sustain our livelihood. More so, sustaining a life capital city Thimphu has become even more
challenging. During such times, people of Bhutan is very fortunate to have a Bodhisattva King like
His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck who tirelessly and selflessly works for the benefit of
people of Bhutan. We are very blessed to receive a gracious support through Druk Gyalpo's Relief
Kidu for the period of three months. Moreover, the Royal Government of Bhutan has been working
tirelessly to support the people of Bhutan through various measure especially to the ones affected by
the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be difficult for His Majesty and Royal Government to us till the
tourism business get back to normal.

Considering such situation, a group comprising of individuals working in tourism sector have planned
to undertake an agricultural farming to support our livelihood and also to contribute in our small way
to the country through supply of vegetables and fruits in the market so that dependence on
neighboring countries for import of vegetables will be minimized.

Outline of Kuenphen Farming Group

Name of the Group: Kuenphen Farming Group

No. of People: Five (5)
Location of proposed land: Wangsisina, Thimphu
Total area proposed: 15 acres of dry land
Land Owner: Zhung Dratshang

The Group Members shall comprise of the following:

1. Mr. Thukten Lhendrup (Investor and owner of M/s Kuenphen Group of Companies)
2. Mr. Chencho Gyeltshen, Project Manager/focal (Tour Guide)
3. Mr. Tashi Penjor, Member (Driver in Tourism sector)
4. Mr. Ugyen Thinley, Member (Office Assistant in Tourism Sector)
5. Mr. Dorji Norbu, Member (Office Assistant in Tourism Sector)

Objective of the Agricultural Farming

The main aim and target for agricultural farming (vegetables and fruits) during the COVID-19
pandemic is to show respect to His Majesty the King and Royal Government of Bhutan for tirelessly
working for the people of Bhutan in containing the COVID-19 situation. This will be done by
producing and supplying fresh vegetables and other agricultural products within the country at
affordable prices since Bhutan is currently importing lots of vegetables and fruits from India. The

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closure of border during the COVID-19 situation has resulted into difficulty in getting the vegetables
and fruits for our daily consumption.

Considering that, our group has have planned for multi-agricultural farming to earn our living as well
as support our government hereafter in reducing the dependence on neighboring country for the
import of vegetables and fruits which will also contribute to goal of self-sufficiency in Bhutan. While
the current government’s support through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests to those affected by
the COVID-19 pandemic by providing the support in vegetable farming may be a short-term measure
i.e., until the COVID-19 situation become normal but our group intends to carry on the agriculture
farming at large scale/commercial level for decades and make it as our main source of livelihood.

Agricultural Land Proposed for Lease

The group have requested the Zhung Dratshang to lease about 15 acres of land located at
Wangsisina, Thimphu for the purpose of vegetables and fruits farming wherein the Zhung Dratshang
have agreed to lease their land for the period of 30 years. The land that will be taken up for
vegetables and fruit farming after execution of lease agreement with Zhung Dratshang and support
from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests. The land is currently fallow and there is lack of water
wherein irrigation through the use of water pump is very necessary to make the land cultivable.

Farm Produce proposed for Cultivation

The Kuenphen Farming Group will endeavor to cultivate vegetables and fruits that are adaptable to
the Wangsisina area for now. The main vegetables consumed on the daily basis by the people of
Bhutan especially those living at urban centers so that the urban population will get easy access to
fresh and nutritious vegetables grown in Bhutan and their dependence on imported vegetables will
also be minimized.

The Group will always seek technical expertise of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests on the
types of vegetables and fruits to be of grown. During the start-up, the Group also intends to seek
MoAF’s support in seeds and seedlings.

Farming Machinery/Tools

During the start-up of the agricultural farming, the Group will depend on MoAF support for land
development and setting up other farming related facilities. However, as we develop and expand our
farming business, the Group intends to use farm machineries such as power tiller/tractor to
ploughing the land to reduce drudgery of land preparation. Other farm machineries for
transplantation, weeding and harvesting, if applicable, may also be used at the latter times to faster
and improved efficiency.

While the green houses for the vegetable seeding plantation including the vegetable production
during winter season is the most important provision our group is looking out for, post-production
measures such as air-forced dryer for drying the vegetables and silo for storage with other
processing machines will also be required later.

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Funding Support

The Group has sought some financial assistance from M/s Kuenphen Group of Companies since the
project will entail huge investment. However, the committed funding support will not be able to cover
all the expenditures from land development to post-production and marketing of the
vegetable/agricultural produce. Therefore, the support of MoAF for starting this farming project is
very necessary.

Support Required from MoAF

Since the Group is undertaking such large-scale agricultural farming endeavor for the first time and
also during such time when COVID-19 has impacted the proponents financially, the Group would like
to seek the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests in the following activities:

1. Land Development

As the land of Zhung Dratshang which is being proposed for lease for undertaking the vegetable and
fruit cultivation venture has been left fallow of many years, it has become impossible for the Group to
develop land with the use of basic agricultural tools. And considering the large size of land to be
developed for undertaking the farming venture, the support of MoAF is crucial and necessary in land
development through deployment of appropriate machineries.

2. Irrigation Facilities

The support in setting up the irrigation facilities is very necessary as vegetables cultivation and
growing of fruit trees will require adequate irrigation.

3. Seed and Seedling

The MoAF through its National Seed Center has been pivotal in supporting the farming communities
in Bhutan through adaptive research of seed and then supplying quality seeds having better yield
and adaptation. Based on the suitability of seeds for cultivation at the proposed land, seed and
seeding support is also required.

4. Green House

For the vegetable production, planting and raising of seedling is necessary for which green-house is
necessary considering the altitude and weather conditions of Thimphu. Green-house is also required
for vegetable cultivation during winter season. In view of this, MoAF’s support in providing green-
house is found very essential.

5. Fencing

Guarding of the agricultural farm/field from depredation of wildlife, and depredation and unnecessary
disturbance from domestic animals has become a challenge. To overcome such setback, fencing is
very necessary and MoAF’s support is essential.

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Benefits/Impacts

Since the members of the Group or the target beneficiaries are the individuals whose livelihood has
been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as the tourism sector has been severely impacted, the
project will bring positive socio-economic impacts on the Group Members as well as create
employment opportunities for others.

Way Forward

1. Sign land lease agreement with Zhung Dratshang as per the terms and conditions prescribed in
the Land Lease Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2018.

2. To seek assistance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests in land development, setting up of
irrigation facilities, seed and seedling support, fencing, green houses and other technical support
for vegetable cultivation and growing fruit trees.

Contact Details of the Project Manager

Mr. Chencho Gyeltshen

Phone: 17411991
Email: [email protected]