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 “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
The Opening Ceremony on 1st November 2025 was graced by the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Dasho Dzongda, Hon\’ble Dasho Member of Parliament 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 Majesty’s 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, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Livestock emphasized the power of cooperation, farmer empowerment, and market linkages, highlighting the importance of strong cooperatives, public–private 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 Bhutan’s 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
- B-organic
- Drametse Women’s Group (Candies & Wine)
- BAIL
- Samjong Cooperative
- Sharshok Women’s 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.