The FAO director general is on a two-day official visit to Bhutan

Yangyel Lhaden

The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Dr QU Dongyu, arrived in Bhutan yesterday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening agricultural cooperation and advancing sustainable food systems.

Leading a high-level FAO delegation, Dr QU Dongyu is set to visit key agricultural sites and engage in discussions with Bhutanese leaders.

“These visits aim to highlight FAO-supported initiatives and Bhutan’s progress in fostering sustainable agrifood systems, strengthening animal health, and promoting local entrepreneurship,” according to an FAO press statement.

FAO’s partnership with Bhutan dates back to the 1980s, starting with on-the-ground agricultural development activities. Over the decades, this collaboration has expanded to include policy support, capacity building, regional cooperation, and emergency relief efforts.

To date, FAO has implemented nearly 100 Technical Cooperation Programmes in Bhutan, amounting to approximately USD 35 million.

“The visit of the FAO Director-General marks a historic moment that celebrates and strengthens the robust partnership between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations,” said Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative for Bhutan and Nepal.

On the first day of his visit, the delegation toured the National Seed Centre (NSC) and a strawberry farm in Paro before travelling to Thimphu.

At NSC, the Director-General officially handed over tissue culture laboratory equipment to enhance the production of disease-free planting materials.

“FAO’s key interventions at NSC include upgrading tissue culture labs, establishing a citrus repository for disease-free citrus production, and offering training programmes on seed production and quality management,” the press release stated. “These efforts contribute to Bhutan’s agricultural productivity and food security by ensuring high-quality seed availability.”

At the strawberry farm, the delegation observed an innovative vertical farming project, supported by FAO under the Hand-in-Hand Initiative. The project, which maximises limited urban spaces for high-tech agriculture, is seen as a potential model for attracting young entrepreneurs to farming.

In Thimphu, the delegation visited the Centenary Farmers’ Market (Kaja Throm).

“The visit aimed to demonstrate the critical role of market access in fostering sustainable economic growth and entrepreneurship,” the FAO press release said. “Special emphasis was placed on FAO’s collaboration with the Department of Agricultural and Marketing Cooperatives (DAMC) to enhance value chain development, diversify agricultural products, and attract public-private partnerships for investment in sustainable agrifood systems.”

Today, His Majesty the King will grant an audience to the FAO delegation.

Dr QU Dongyu will also visit the National Centre for Organic Agriculture, the Yusipang Cottage and Small Industries Market, and the National Centre for Animal Health in Serbithang, among other key sites.

Bhutan and FAO will also jointly launch two major initiatives—the “One Child, One Egg” programme to improve child nutrition and the Bhutan AgriSustain Fund to support sustainable agriculture.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and FAO Director-General Dr. QU Dongyu will officiate the launch.

The FAO delegation is scheduled to depart Bhutan tomorrow.