About us

Bio Bhutan is a pioneer enterprise that produces and markets natural and organic certified products from Bhutan for Bhutanese and international markets.

OUR GOALS
Our main goals are to:

1. Contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources of Bhutan;
2. Improve income and employment opportunities of rural communities and private entrepreneurs;
3. Create surplus value for final consumers through healthy and tasteful natural and organic produces from Bhutan; and
4. Promote the image of Bhutan as a producer of pure and natural products.

HOW WE FUNCTION

We source all our raw materials from farmer groups living in well defined areas scattered across the country. Processing of the products is carried out by the farmer groups under the supervision of Bio Bhutan. Final value addition and packaging is carried out by Bio Bhutan and sold at appropriate local, regional and international markets.

CERTIFICATION

Certification of three products was initiated in 2005, and organic certificates have been obtained for two of them (lemon grass oil and pipla) in January, 2006 from INDOCERT an Indian certification agency based in Kerala. Organic production is a new venture in Bhutan and efforts to establish policies for organic agriculture have been initiated by the Royal Government of Bhutan in 2005. Currently, there is no certification expertise within the country. Hence, foreign expertise from recognized certification agencies is required for the time being. In line with this we have well established links with Bio Inspecta (Switzerland) and its partner organization INDOCERT. Accredited by the EU, INDOCERT follows EU Standards and Regulations for organic products.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION

We have established marketing links with customers in India, USA, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and Luxury Hotels and Shops in Bhutan. Promotion of Bio Bhutan and our products are carried out through our website www.biobhutan.com, advertisements in the local television, newspaper, Druk Air in-flight magazine and the only business travel directory of Bhutan.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Bio Bhutan is guided by an Advisory Board comprising of representatives from the Funding Agency Helvetas/SDC Bhutan, the Swiss Bhutan Society and its, sister organization: the Swiss Bhutan Friendship Association, the Non-Governmental and the Private Sector in Bhutan. Day to day activities of the organization is implemented by a team of five employees: Managing Director (Mrs. Karma Yangzom), Product Manager (Mr. Bhola Nath Sharma), Accounts Officer (Mr. Sonam Tobgay), and Logistics Officer (Mr. Yanka Dawa). Two more employees: a Financial Advisor and a Field Representative for lemon grass oil work for Bio Bhutan on a part time basis.

OUR PARTNERS

All Bio Bhutan activities are carried out in close collaboration with partners from the Royal Government of Bhutan. It is extremely important for us to work in accordance with the development programs of the government and share resources and efforts. Our key partners are: i) the National Organic Program, Rural Enterprise Development Programme,  Ministry of Agriculture; ii) the Social Forestry Division under the Department of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture; iii) the Renewable Natural Resource Research Center, Wengkhar, Ministry of Agriculture, iv) the Zhemgang Dzongkhag Forestry Section, Ministry of Home Affairs; v) the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture; vi) the Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag Livestock Section, Ministry of Home Affairs; and vii) the Essential Oils Development Programme under the Department of Industry, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

OTHER WEB LINKS

More information available on Bio Bhutan in the following websites. www.helvetas.org.bt/bio_bhutan.htm
www.bhutan-switzerland.org/pdf/Annual-Report-2005.pdf www.nynaturals.com/cre/bhutan-products-c-30.html