For 34-year-old Sangay Dema, a farmer from Chuzagang Gewog and a mother of two, farming has never been just a way to earn a living, it is a way of caring for her family and building a better future. Coming from a farming family herself and having completed only up to Class III, she is one of six members in her household who depend on the land for their livelihood. Her story reflects the reality of many rural women across Bhutan who, with limited formal education but deep resilience, are transforming small-scale farming into a source of income, food security, and opportunity for their families.
Long before she received any external support, Sangay had already devoted herself to cultivating vegetables on her land. Armed with determination, patience, and countless hours of hard work, she nurtured her home garden with the hope that it would one day provide not only food for her family but also financial security. Although resources were limited, she believed that every seed planted brought her one step closer to a better life.
“The resources were expensive and I couldn’t afford them, but I didn’t give up. Even before I received any support, I kept improving my garden with what little I had. ” here put her real dialogue as you have interviewed her.
Her belief never wavered, even when farming demanded long days, unpredictable weather, and constant reinvestment. Rather than waiting for opportunities to come to her, Sangay continued improving her farm with whatever resources she had.
Recognizing her commitment and potential, she received support on 25 October 2025 through the Home Garden Support initiative. She was provided with vegetable seeds, green netting, and materials to construct a small poultry house. She also benefited from vegetable seeds through the BRECSA cost-sharing programme while continuing to invest her own savings in purchasing additional seeds and improving her farm.
For Sangay, the support was not simply about receiving materials, it was an opportunity to build on years of perseverance. She combined the assistance with her own investments, hard work, and determination to expand her production and make the most of every growing season.
Today, her efforts have blossomed into a thriving home garden that produces cabbage, chilli, beans, broccoli, onions, and a variety of other vegetables, alongside dairy products. This year alone, she earned more than Nu. 300,000 from the sale of her produce.Part of these earnings has gone toward funding her sister’s higher education, while the rest has supported her household. She has also expanded her small poultry initiative, growing from just two chickens to a flock of 40 chicks, strengthening both her household income and food security.
Behind these numbers is a story of resilience, with a woman who chose to invest in her future, one harvest at a time. Every crop she sells represents countless early mornings, careful planning, and an unwavering commitment to her family’s wellbeing.
Yet Sangay believes this is only the beginning.
She dreams of transforming her farm into a commercial enterprise capable of supplying fresh vegetables to markets across different regions, including during the off-season. More importantly, she hopes her journey will encourage other farmers, especially women and young people, to believe that with determination, continuous learning, and the right support, agriculture can become a pathway to sustainable livelihoods.
Sangay’s story reminds us that meaningful change begins with people who refuse to give up on their dreams. When dedication is matched with opportunity, a small home garden can grow into something far greater,with not only providing food and income but also cultivating confidence, resilience, and hope for the future.