The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) has achieved nearly 80 percent of its 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) output goals, recording a primary sector contribution of Nu 39.6 billion (bn) as of 2025.
The Mid-term review (MTR) for central agencies of the 13th FYP was conducted today at the PEMA Rehab Center (Mitsey Yarab Lamsang).
The MoAL was the first ministry to present a comprehensive presentation on its achievements, plans, progress, key issues and proposals for review to the Cabinet Secretariat.
The Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, graced the session, along with ministers, senior officials and officers from different ministries.
The information presented by the MoAL showed strong and promising growth of the ministry’s objectives and Bhutan’s agriculture sector.
The MoAL targets increasing the primary sector GDP contribution from Nu 31 bn in 2023 to Nu 50 bn by 2029, focusing on high value agriculture and livestock production, processing and marketing.
Data presented by the ministry showed that the GDP output target of agriculture has increased. The MoAL has achieved an output of Nu 39.618 bn in 2025, indicating a progress of 79.2 percent to the 13th FYP goal.
So far, the ministry has carried out and completed activities such as the institution of a Credit access facility, launching the national crop and livestock scheme, the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) and linking farmer groups and cooperatives to Gyalsung Academies.
Wins
The MoAL highlighted enhanced agriculture production with key performance indicators (KPIs) on different types of production.
Increase in maize production saw the achievement of 32,042 metric tonnes (MT) crossing the target of 31,966 MT.
Similarly, increasing quinoa production also couldn’t be achieved. The progress was only 39 MT while the set goal was 250 MT.
Furthermore, the ministry highlights enhanced livestock production with greater progress in milk production with 74.3 percent progress (production: 54,998 MT, target: 73,954 MT), pork production with 131.6 percent (production: 2,428 MT, target: 1,845 MT), chicken production with 75.2 percent progress (production: 1,503.08 MT, target: 2,000 MT) and honey production with 73.8 percent progress (production: 61.22 MT, target: 83 MT).
Areas brought under farm mechanization were also achieved, crossing the goal of covering 27,747 acres of land with 31,347 acres.
Losses
The goal of increasing paddy cultivation fell short. The progress states 45,530 MT produced, falling short of the set target of 54,040 MT.
Fish production saw a steep decline with progress of only 19 percent as the total production was only 47.4 MT and the target was 250 MT. As stated by the ministry, this shortage is linked with the shortage of fingerling production, with 1,018,137 units, falling short of the target of 3,240,000 units.
The ministry recorded a 183 percent achievement in enhanced agriculture production with the KPI ‘Area brought under agriculture land development’, achieving 18,207 acres of the set target of 11,620.
Exports
Agricultural exports currently stand at 65 percent progress, as the revenue generated was Nu 3.95 bn. The ministry has set a target of achieving Nu 6 bn by 2029.
Cardamom exports generated Nu 2 bn, followed by oranges with Nu 680 million (mn), and potatoes with Nu 320 mn.
Furthermore, the ministry outlines 100 percent achievement of the 13th FYP goals in connecting farmers groups and cooperatives with Gyalsung Academies, GMC and export markets, and the number of bioprospecting initiatives.
Key achievements by MoAL
Key achievements included activities such as signing Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with countries such as Mongolia in enhancing livestock, the launch of the National Crop and Livestock Insurance Scheme (NCLIS), chain link fencing with 1,107 kms covered, supply of powertillers and minitillers, and the success of the Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management & Rabies Control Program.
The PM shared his opinions and critique to some of the points presented by MoAL, providing feedback, criticism, and offering ideas and advice for the ministry to enhance efforts.
“Fruits like bananas take only a year to bear fruit, and still we are importing from India. The Million Fruit Tree Project is failing by almost 50 percent. There needs to be better strategies in helping boost local products,” the PM said.
Moreover, the PM emphasized and suggested greater engagement and focus on improving locally-produced fruits and enhancing market opportunities for Bhutanese products such as potatoes and oranges.
A concern PM also shared was on floriculture.
He said, “We have been importing flowers till now. Flowers are expensive and are extremely necessary for festivities and national events. Let’s do something for the next 2 years about this.”
