Agriculture in Tang valley
Agriculture was the basis for Ogyen Choling's economic wealth and power. The Tang valley represents a typical temperate Bhutanese environment where buckwheat, both the bitter (Fagopyrum tartaricum), and the sweet (Fagopyrum esculentum) species traditionally constituted the main staple food. In Bhutan bitter buckwheat can be grown up to altitudes of 4000m. Other species important in this environment were wheat, barley, mustard, radish and turnip. Agricultural products were complemented by meat and dairy products such as butter and cheese. Most activities for agriculture production relied on human labour. The hard work of cultivation was made easier with the help of the oxen.