Dorji Rinchen

Dorji Rinchen, 2025-26 Humphrey Fellow at Cornell.

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, 2025-26

Home country: Bhutan
Specialization: Agriculture and Rural Development
Connect: dr674 [at] cornell.edu
Pronouns: he/him

Dorji Rinchen is the Head of the Renewable Natural Resources – Enterprise Development and Coordination Unit (RNR-EDCU) under the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan. In this role, he leads national efforts to promote agriculture- and livestock-based enterprises, with a focus on enhancing rural livelihoods and improving market access for Bhutanese farmers.

With more than a decade of experience in post-harvest management, value chain development, and enterprise promotion, Dorji works at the intersection of rural poverty reduction, food security, climate-resilient agriculture, and enterprise development. He is particularly passionate about creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers and youth by promoting value addition, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening Bhutan’s food systems.

Dorji plays a key role in mobilizing resources and forging partnerships with international development organizations such as FAO, WFP, UNDP, and other UN agencies. His leadership has supported initiatives that expand infrastructure, build farmer capacities, and foster agribusiness development across Bhutan.

He holds a Master of Science in Food Science and Technology from Curtin University, Perth, Australia, where he specialized in post-harvest physiology, and a Bachelor of Technology in Food Technology from Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Rajasthan, India.

Dedicated to transforming Bhutan’s agricultural sector, Dorji continues to advance resilient and sustainable food systems that contribute to rural prosperity and national food self-sufficiency.