YK Poudel
Bhutan launched AgriSustain Fund, an ambitious initiative to revolutionise the country’s agri-food landscape to boost agricultural productivity and enhance nutrition and sustainability for future generations, particularly in an era of changing climate and declining agricultural productions.
During the World Food Forum 2024, held in Rome, Italy from October 13 to 17, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), and a Bhutanese delegation convened to discuss the country’s agricultural development, climate resilience, and sustainability goals.
Agriculture Minister Younten Phuntsho held strategic bilateral meetings with senior officials from key international organisations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The discussions highlighted the urgent need to tackle pressing challenges such as the impacts of climate change, market access for smallholder farmers, and human-wildlife conflicts.
The AgriSustain Fund, with an initial target of raising USD 80 million, is set to enhance the resilience of Bhutan’s agricultural sector, which currently contributes 14 percent to the GDP.
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that the fund will focus on equipping farmers with tools to adapt to climate change, conserving biodiversity, and promoting innovative technologies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
It will also strengthen agri-food value chains and empower rural communities, ensuring marginalised groups and women are actively involved in agricultural initiatives.
In addition to the AgriSustain Fund, the Prime Minister introduced the ‘One Egg Per Student Per Day’ programme, which seeks to improve child nutrition by providing essential micronutrients and protein in schools.
“The importance of feeding one egg per student every day is to boost their daily micronutrient and protein intake,” he said. “These initiatives are vital for Bhutan as each will contribute meaningfully to improving agriculture, promoting good nutrition and enhancing prosperity.”
The Prime Minister further highlighted the need to transition Bhutan’s subsistence farming into a sustainable commercial farming model, requiring additional resources and innovative solutions.
The MOAL minister identified key agricultural commodities for investment, including citrus mandarin, coffee, rainbow trout, black pepper, and quinoa, and presented the Hand-in-Hand Investment Plan to engage international stakeholders in Bhutan’s sustainable agricultural development.
The AgriSustain Fund will focus on enhancing farmers’ adaptive capacity, conserving biodiversity, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, strengthening agri-food value chains, and empowering rural communities.
In a keynote address at the forum, the agriculture minister spotlighted the vital role of youth in transforming agrifood systems, stating that their energy and creativity are essential for creating resilient food systems.
The forum also featured the inauguration of the World Food Forum Bhutan Chapter booth, which included an interactive SDG Card Game designed to engage participants in understanding and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
The World Food Forum 2024 was a pivotal moment for Bhutan, strengthening international partnerships and showcasing the country’s commitment to innovative solutions in agriculture and climate action. With continued global collaboration, Bhutan aims to achieve its vision of rural development and climate-smart agriculture, ensuring food security and sustainability for future generations.
According to the FAO, the forum is the largest annual gathering of agrifood systems stakeholders bringing together global experts, young change-makers, investors and visionary leaders.
This year, Bhutan attended the WFF for the third consecutive time, embracing the theme “Good food for all, for today and tomorrow.”