Bhutan's New Organic Food Movement

Meet the Bhutanese entrepreneur working on organic food production, heritage and education.

Bhutan's New Organic Food Movement Kesang Choedon at Chuniding Food in Thimphu. (Source: Druksell.com)

 

By Hannes Lorenzen | Ecologist

Kesang Choedon has created an innovative organic and heritage food enterprise near Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital. Formerly a police officer, Choedon employs and trains 30 young women in processing and marketing of Bhutan’s local food treasures.

The enterprise includes the processing of nearly 150 different organic food ingredients from a wide range of local products including dried fruit and vegetables, cereals, pulses, health drinks, herb teas and spices. These products are sold in an organic shop, and offered in a Folk Heritage Restaurant in the capital.

Choedon is eager to further expand her facilities, products and training to young Bhutanese people. Her intention is to create and strengthen a new organic food movement that builds upon food traditions but also brings healthy and tasty food to Bhutanese people

Some people in Bhutan consider you as pioneer of a new food movement. Would you agree?

I am not sure whether I am a pioneer in the literal sense. The nature of my work led to working directly with farmers and the need to be supply our people with naturally grown good food. 

If Bhutan is to be turning toward 100 percent organic, then farmers, processors and consumers need to work together. Some may believe that our food is already organic, because most of our farmers do not use any chemicals or fertilizers. But in fact there is only a very small organic market and there is a risk that non-organic methods come sneaking in.

I consider my food business as an invitation to farmers to create their own organic market and as an invitation to consumers to value what we have in Bhutan: very nutritious and tasty local food.

You started your food business ten years ago to preserve and develop Bhutanese food culture. Was it difficult to find farmers who would work with you?

Not at all. The problem was getting started and getting the quantities right. Sometimes I would have far too much, sometimes far too little.

So I decided to dry food so that I would be able to balance what I received and what I could store - fruit, vegetables, pulses, cereals. That gave me time to find outlets. The shop helped and of course the restaurant.

There was no organic certification and control at that time. How could you trust that you got the quality you wanted?

I was relying on my own sense and the sense of friends who helped me to find farmers who were ready to cooperate.

Bhutan is a big family you know. And in the villages we keep an eye on each other. With the help of the government’s extension service we had quickly built up a group organizing and checking the buying up.

We have the Bhutanese organic certification now but I would like to say that certification may not be necessary for the local market (but would be necessary for exports). 

You were a police officer before you started your food business. Why did you leave your career in the civil service and go it alone?

I was very lucky to be one of the first women offered a career when the government decided to employ women in security services.

It was an exciting time. I love investigations. At that time, it was still an adventure to be officer in the countryside: no roads, no cars, walking in the mountains, crossing rivers at night, sleeping in cowsheds on farms in the forest and so on.

And it was already during that time that my sense for food had emerged from the food that we were offered at the farms. Then there was my grandmother’s food that was irresistibly good. Both, my grandmothers’ and our farmers’ food were the reasons that I dropped the job.

It was not an easy decision at all. I think it was the day when I had read some reviews about the bad image Bhutanese food has. I was suddenly sure that my passion for our own Bhutanese food was stronger than remaining in the police services.

I had no bad conscience that I would not properly serve my country any more – you know we feel very responsible in Bhutan to serve our country - I was just sure my service for our country would be to preserve our food.

You are passionate about drawing young people into a new food movement - you employ and train thirty young women. Is food still best taken care of by women?

I have only employed young women. Girls are in general more ambitious and innovative then men.

Women often do not find jobs when it comes to plumbing, fixing electrical lines and cement works, as they are risky and require physical strength. I focus on young women who are jobless for some reason, including school drop-outs. And I want them to understand how important and fascinating working with food is.

The girls in my staff stay with me between three to ten years. They like the teamwork and I encourage them to take their own projects and initiatives in hand and develop them further.

I always said to myself: if you feel like doing it, go for it, be your own master. My daughter and two nieces are managing the shop and the restaurant by the way. I believe women will do the job of bringing our local food and organic farming right into the center of Bhutanese culture.

You are building your business and your ambition for an organic food movement on food heritage and on food education. Do you also believe that a change of Bhutan’s farm and food policy could help to achieve the declared goal to become the first country in the world with 100 percent organic farming?

Policies can help, if the people carry them. We have the advantage that our King and our Government want to go that way. But people seem to believe that we are already there, and that is not the case.

Our subsistence farmers farm without chemicals but not necessarily organic. There are practices missing like crop rotation and good water management that make farming resilient on the long run.

But also consumers are not aware of how important it is that they choose local and seasonal food from Bhutan to support farmers in their effort to go organic.

Finally it is an educational job. We have to teach food culture at schools and talk more about it.   I was very lucky because I could tap into my grandmother’s vast cooking, preservation and food knowledge. She lived to 110 years old, so I had time to “absorb” her treasure of recipes and I could build upon that to develop my enterprise.

I am very keen to hand that on to my daughters and to the young people working with me. I believe our food culture is deeply linked also to our religion and our strong relation to nature.

We are doing a religious offering called “du-na-gu”, the nine cereal grains. They stand for common wealth, for diversity and for generosity, in a sense for what we get from nature and what we share. I have offered these nine cereal grains in my shop, and I teach people how to cook them. This is how we build upon tradition and move towards a healthy and sustainable future.

About the author

Hannes Lorenzen is senior advisor to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg.

 

This article was first published in Ecologist and has been edited for the Daily Bhutan.



Related Posts

Gasa lives the organic dream

Organic dream to be lived in!

Jul 29, 2017 16:54

Most Popular Bars in Paro

Paro may be known for its monasteries and mountains, but its nightlife is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. From...

Mar 24, 2025 14:27

Honouring a Legacy: Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck’s...

On International Women’s Day, March 8, Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck was honoured by the United Nations...

Mar 11, 2025 10:46

Most Popular Restaurants in Paro

Paro, Bhutan’s charming valley town, is not only known for its breathtaking monasteries and scenic landscapes but also...

Mar 10, 2025 11:37

Former Director General of Bhutan’s Department of Tourism...

Bhutan’s former Director General of the Department of Tourism, Doji Dhratyul, has launched his third book, Bhutan –...

Mar 06, 2025 13:49

GMC’s 2024 Milestones: A New Chapter for Bhutan’s Growth

From groundbreaking infrastructure projects to legislative advancements, GMC has made remarkable progress in 2024. This...

Mar 03, 2025 17:15

Latest

News

Chauffeur-Driven and Stress-Free: AVIS Bhutan Launches in the Himalayas

MICE Bhutan partners with Avis Budget Group to offer tailored mobility services for corporate delegations, long-term visitors, leisure...

Mar 26, 2025 11:28

Passion and Purpose: Hidden Gems and Spiritual Wonders in Bhutan

Bhutan, a land of breathtaking landscapes and rich traditions, is best experienced through the eyes of those who know it intimately. In this...

Mar 14, 2025 15:57

Features

Most Popular Bars in Paro

Paro may be known for its monasteries and mountains, but its nightlife is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. From lively pubs and cosy...

Mar 24, 2025 14:27

Honouring a Legacy: Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck’s 25 Years as UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador

On International Women’s Day, March 8, Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck was honoured by the United Nations Population Fund...

Mar 11, 2025 10:46

Business

Most Popular Bars in Thimphu

Discover Thimphu’s vibrant nightlife, where traditional Bhutanese drinks meet modern cocktails in the city’s top bars and lounges. Unwind...

Feb 10, 2025 16:14

Brand Bhutan: Karma Yangchen

Karma Yangchen, a distinguished artisan from Bhutan exemplifies a profound commitment to the art of handwoven textiles.

Dec 14, 2023 10:22

Sports

Bhutan Cricket's New Milestone: The Inaugural Indoor Cricket Academy

The Bhutan Cricket Council Board (BCCB) inaugurated its inaugural indoor cricket academy on 20th December, with the objective of ensuring...

Dec 21, 2023 14:57

Paro FC Clinches Third Consecutive Victory in BOB Bhutan Premier League

Paro FC has once again claimed the BOB Bhutan Premier League championship, marking their third consecutive title victory during the season's...

Dec 12, 2023 10:26

Travel

Goen Tshephu Ney, Bhutan’s Sacred Cave of Spiritual Wonders

Goen Tshephu Ney, a sacred cave in Goenshari Gewog, Punakha, is a hidden spiritual gem now gaining popularity due to improved road access....

Mar 18, 2025 12:56

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten: A spiritual and Architectural Marvel in Punakha

The Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten in Nyizergang, Punakha stands as a testament to Bhutan’s rich spiritual heritage and architectural...

Feb 28, 2025 12:28

Lifestyle

Most Popular Restaurants in Thimphu

Most visitors to Bhutan are aware of our serene hiking trails, religious sites and colorful festivals.

Feb 03, 2025 10:16

Chunipa Losar: Bhutan's Timeless Celebration of Traditions and Offerings

Chunipa Losar is a day of offerings, a moment when communities come together to express gratitude, seek blessings, and strengthen bonds.

Jan 12, 2024 12:31

Subscribe to our newsletter

Never miss out on new happenings and news stories!

newsletter

Download Daily Bhutan Mobile App

Connecting with us just got easier!

android app
apple app