Firstly, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests will be better equipped and prepared to cater to the needs of the rapid transition of the Agriculture sector from a primarily subsistence to a major market economy.

Secondly, as envisaged, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests also has mandate on implementation of the Cooperative (Amendment) Act of Bhutan, 2009 (CAB 2009) from the Government.  The scope of the CAB 2009 extends beyond RNR sector and its implementation would definitely entail numerous regulatory and development functions.

 Now with the departmental status, Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives has a wider and huge mandate in serving its clienteles more effectively by strengthening the linkages between marketing system and producers within the country and also exploring new markets overseas. This department will now go on a full swing in the promotion and development of farmer groups and Cooperatives to take Bhutanese agriculture marketing to the next higher level and also support the operational zing of One Geog Three Products (OGTP) strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests in the current Five Year Plan.The Regional Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives Office, (RAMCO), Monggar is mandated to look after all the agricultural marketing activities and development of Farmers Group & Cooperatives of the six eastern Dzongkhags.

 The department is supported by two divisions:

1. Market Development Division and
2. Cooperatives Development Division

A vibrant and responsive marketing and cooperative institution supporting profitable and people-centered national and international RNR product marketing and market structures for sustainable agriculture and community development.

To facilitate and promote marketing of agricultural products through efficient and effective marketing systems as well as to enhance farmers livelihoods and enhance the attraction of the rural way of life through establishing and supporting sustainable farmers groups and cooperatives

1. To improve economic efficiency and viability of agriculture production through organization of cooperatives for production, processing and marketing and also through market research and development;

2. To support the economic and social empowerment of the farmers through the development of sustainable farmers’ groups/cooperatives;

3. To develop group management and leadership skills and empower the farmers to articulate their interest and thus promote good local governance; and

4. To support sustainable and effective management and production of RNR products 

1. To improve the marketing efficiency of agricultural, horticultural, livestock and non-wood forestry products,
2. To efficiently promote infrastructure development for agricultural marketing,
3. To develop and promote intra-regional trade,
4. To develop and promote export markets for RNR products
5. Make inventory of farmer/cooperative groups, promote and register new farmer groups and cooperatives.

 Functions of Market Development Division (MDD)

1. Conduct value chain, supply and demand studies for major RNR products.

2. Identify and develop domestic and international markets and strategies for RNR products;

3. Facilitate farmers and entrepreneurs to identify and develop agri-business and large scale opportunities

4. Promote market focused extension

5. Create awareness of market technologies

6. Facilitate access to input supplies

7. Promote Intra-regional/Dzongkhag trading;

8. Support contract growers and entrepreneurship development;

9. Liaise with Global & Regional organizations such as WTO/, SAFTA, BIMSTEC;

10. Develop standards and certifications.

11. Promote Foreign Direct Investment & Public Private Partnership

12. Identify needs and develop market infrastructures

13. Capacity building of farmers, extension and DAMC staff on marketing technologies;

 * Sections:

Domestic Market Section 1.2. External Market Section 1.3 Infrastructure section; 1.4. Agribusiness and Trade Promotion

Functions of Cooperatives Development Division(CDD)

1. Develop and form farmer groups and Cooperatives;
2. Register farmer groups and Cooperatives;
3. Facilitate institutional linkages and communication;
4. Strengthen Cooperatives communication, capacity building and Management
5. Promote and organize FG/Cooperatives for collective agricultural marketing
6. Promote agro tourism for groups of farmers for home stay
7. Support negotiation on contract farming and contract marketing
8. Facilitate Cooperative funding
9. Capacity building of farmer groups, extension and DAMC staff on Cooperative technologies;

10.  Regulate and Monitor FG/Cooperatives

11.  Advocacy of farmers groups and associations;

12.  Develop and facilitate rural credit

* Sections:

* 2.1 Farmers Groups & Cooperatives; 2.2 Legal and Registration; 2.3 Rural finance and 2.4. Extension & capacity building

Affiliate/subordinate Agencies

Regional Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (RAMCO), Mongar

Functions of Regional office, Mongar

1. Facilitate establishment and functioning of Farmers Groups and Marketing Cooperatives at regional level

2. Coordinate and promote implementation of marketing related activities, including agribusiness and rural credit at the regional level;

3. Develop and ensure proper functioning of market activities, infrastructure and establishment of new infrastructures at regional level, where necessary;

4. Provide institutional support and advice on marketing of RNR products;

5. Reinforce linkages between Dzongkhags, major market outlets and head office to facilitate marketing processes;

6. Provide market based training to extension agents at regional level;

. Provide marketing training to producers in collaboration with the head office;

8. Establish effective market information services at Dzongkhag-level in collaboration with line agencies;

9. Conduct regular regional market studies (price, demand and supply situations) and collect and communicate marketing information to head office;

10. Assist head office in Monitoring & Evaluation of marketing programs; 

11. Undertake programs to build capacity in marketing staff and facilitate farmer capacity building at regional level.

12. Provide guidance to Cooperatives in export markets at regional level

Other Information which may be deemed important:

Market Information System

The department of Agricultural Marketing & Cooperative has already set up a Market Information System(www.agrimarket.gov.bt) through which it disseminates information on various agricultural, forestry and livestock products and commodities from various markets in the country

An Interactive Voice Response System has been established to provide nation-wide mobile phone service to assist farmers with freely available market information at low cost. Anyone wishing to avail information could Dial 2009(on b-mobile) and get up-to-date price information from the markets (10 principal markets) for their agricultural produce.