The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In the 8th Meet-the-Press Session held yesterday, the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) Younten Phuntsho addressed the pressing challenges faced by Bhutan in achieving food self-sufficiency. The conversation focused on human-wildlife conflicts, rice self-sufficiency, and the shortage of farm labour, along with the ministry’s strategies and policies aimed at overcoming these obstacles.
The Minister highlighted the role of comprehensive studies conducted by MoAL, which inform these strategies and set realistic timelines for progress.
The Minister said, “Bhutan is prioritizing food and nutrient security rather than aiming solely for food self-sufficiency.”
He said that one of the most significant barriers to agricultural productivity in Bhutan is the human-wildlife conflict. According to the National Impact Assessment Report on Electric Fencing (2021), farmers suffer crop losses ranging from 19 percent to 43 percent annually due to wildlife damage. Despite their efforts to guard crops, these losses remain a substantial hurdle, particularly as agricultural productivity has increased while fallow land continues to expand.
“To combat this issue, the ministry is implementing several interventions under the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP). The ministry has earmarked Nu 5.1 billion to construct 3,400 kilometers of chain link fencing across 20 dzongkhags, covering 205 gewogs. This fiscal year, Nu 667.5 million has been allocated to build approximately 410 kilometers of fencing in 80 gewogs, benefiting around 4,800 households and covering 15,500 acres,” said the Minister.
He also said that recognizing the need for a safety net, MoAL has developed a proposal for a national insurance scheme aimed at protecting farmers from losses due to wildlife, natural calamities, pests, and climate change.
He said, “This pilot scheme will cover key crops and livestock, including paddy, maize, potatoes, and various animal husbandry ventures. Collaboration with the Ministry of Finance will ensure that the insurance premiums remain affordable and sustainable for farmers.”
To reduce reliance on conventional crops vulnerable to wildlife damage, MoAL is promoting the cultivation of cereal crops like quinoa, which are not only nutritious but also less attractive to wildlife.
Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho said, “While food security encompasses meeting the nation’s food needs through both domestic production and imports, self-sufficiency focuses on domestic production alone. Given country’s geographical and structural farming challenges, the ministry has set a realistic target of achieving 35 percent rice self-sufficiency over the next ten years, with a goal to increase the current self-sufficiency rate from 25 percent to 30 percent in the present FYP.”
To reach this target, several interventions are being pursued. Such as the construction of irrigation channels. A total of 26 irrigation channels are planned for construction in the 13th FYP, with five to be implemented this fiscal year.
These channels are crucial for sustaining rice cultivation, as water management is integral to improving crop yields. The need for approximately 2,500 liters of water to produce just one kilogram of rice emphasizes the importance of efficient irrigation systems.
Lyonpo said MoAL has been working with international organizations like the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to introduce and promote high-yield rice varieties that are disease-resistant and adapted to local conditions. This initiative aims to improve productivity while addressing the unique agro-climatic challenges in Bhutan.
The Minister said, “The shortage of farm labor is another significant challenge facing in our agricultural sector. To address this, the ministry is exploring several strategies one of which is allowing foreign workers in agriculture.”
The Ministry plans to pilot the employment of seasonal labor from neighboring countries to alleviate immediate labor shortages. A task force has been established to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for this initiative, which will undergo consultations among relevant ministries before implementation.
Likewise, recognizing that foreign labour is not a long-term solution, MoAL is prioritizing the mechanization of farming activities. An investment of over Nu 3.5 billion through a JICA-ODA loan will be used to acquire more than 14,000 pieces of agricultural machinery. This mechanization effort aims to improve efficiency, although the rugged terrain of Bhutan may limit the extent of its applicability.
To enhance economies of scale, the ministry is promoting commercial farming through cooperatives and collective farming initiatives. This approach not only increases production efficiency, but also makes labour more productive.
MoAL is encouraging the cultivation of high-value crops that require less labor, such as asparagus, cardamom, and strawberries. These crops offer higher returns compared to traditional rice farming.
To attract younger generations to agriculture, the ministry is actively promoting farming as a viable career path. Various programs aim to provide training in modern farming techniques, financial incentives, and support for youth-led agribusiness initiatives. This approach not only addresses rural depopulation but also mitigates urban unemployment.
Lyonpo said, “To modernize agriculture in Bhutan, MoAL plans to integrate technology and innovation into farming practices. Initiatives include the use of drones for crop monitoring and fertilizer application, with plans to establish demonstration farms that showcase modern agricultural techniques.”
