Samcholing Tea

Growing Sustainable Livelihoods in Central Bhutan

Nestled in the hills of Trongsa, Samcholing has the potential to become an important tea-growing community in Bhutan. The Bhutan Foundation is supporting the Samcholing Tea Project to develop tea cultivation as a sustainable source of income while creating new opportunities for farmers, youth, and local communities.

The initiative goes beyond growing tea. By strengthening production, processing, branding, and market access, the project aims to build a locally rooted tea enterprise that contributes to agricultural diversification, rural livelihoods, and long-term community resilience.

Updates

The Samcholing Tea Project is supporting the development of a community-based tea industry in Samcholing, Trongsa. The project will expand tea cultivation, strengthen the skills of growers and producers, and establish systems for processing, packaging, marketing, and distribution.

Approximately 161 acres of land have been identified for tea development, creating the foundation for the gradual expansion of tea cultivation. Around 120,000 tea saplings are planned to support the establishment and expansion of tea plantations.

The initiative also looks beyond production. Opportunities are being explored to develop a distinct identity for Samcholing tea, including Geographical Indication (GI) recognition, while connecting tea production with tourism experiences along the Lotus Trail. In the long term, tea houses, homestays, and other community enterprises could provide additional sources of income while offering visitors an opportunity to experience the landscape, culture, and people behind Bhutanese tea.

Community participation remains central to the project. By creating opportunities across the tea value chain, from cultivation and processing to tourism and marketing, the initiative seeks to ensure that the economic benefits remain rooted within the community.

From tea gardens to local enterprise, Samcholing Tea is creating new opportunities for rural communities while building a distinctive Bhutanese product.

Reviving sustainable tea production to strengthen rural livelihoods and create jobs

Program Facts

The project is expanding tea cultivation in Samcholing and supporting the development of a sustainable local tea industry.

Tea production can provide farmers and young people with new income and employment opportunities while diversifying the local economy.

The project takes a value-chain approach, supporting cultivation, processing, product development, branding, marketing, and connections to tourism.

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Acres of land identified for tea development

Tea saplings planned for cultivation

Households, including 56 cooperative members engaged in the tea plantation

Did you Know?

Tea can remain productive for decades when plantations are properly established and managed, creating a long-term agricultural asset for farming communities.

Samcholing's location along the Lotus Trail creates opportunities to connect tea production with community-based tourism and local experiences.

Our Partners

The Samcholing Tea Project brings together the Bhutan Foundation, local communities, government partners, and technical stakeholders to develop a sustainable tea value chain.

Their collective efforts support tea cultivation, technical capacity, processing and product development, market access, and community participation, helping ensure that Samcholing tea grows into a locally owned and sustainable enterprise.

Photos from the Field

How You Can Help

Donate: Your support can help communities establish tea plantations, strengthen production and processing, and develop sustainable rural enterprises.
Raise Awareness: Help share the story of Samcholing Tea and the communities working to build a distinctive Bhutanese tea industry.
Partner With Us: Organizations and technical partners can contribute expertise in tea production, processing, branding, market development, sustainable agriculture, and community-based tourism.
Support Local Products: Choosing locally produced products helps strengthen rural livelihoods and encourages sustainable, community-owned enterprises.