YK Poudel
Bhutan World Food Forum Chapter (BWFFC) was launched on International Youth Day yesterday, marking the country’s entry as the 14th global chapter.
Unveiled at the Bhutan Trade and Investments Forum in May, the Chapter is an independent youth-led network of young people from across the country interested in transforming the agrifood sector in the country. Over 100 youth are part of the Chapter.
The launch is part of the National Youth Symposium, a two-day event coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The symposium, which concludes today, featured over 200 youth participants from 18 dzongkhags, alongside officials from various ministries, UN agencies, and local entrepreneurs.
The event spotlighted the potential of youth to spearhead policy development, skills enhancement, and innovative entrepreneurship in the agrifood sector.
The symposium also introduced the Bhutanese version of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) action card game ‘X(Cross)’, developed by the Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Japan, in partnership with FAO Bhutan and the BWFFC. This online game simulates trade-offs in the agrifood sector to achieve SDGs.
Key discussions revolved around four core tracks: youth action, innovation lab, education, and culture. Panels discussions addressed critical themes such as agrifood systems transformation through youth entrepreneurship, digital solutions in social innovation, and government support for young entrepreneurs.
The session on exploring the nexus of mindfulness, mental resilience, and youth-led agrifood systems transformation would be held today.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Younten Phuntsho said that the 13th Plan, which aims to generate Nu 50 billion by 2029, has prioritised youth in agri-business. “Youth as an agent of positive change must venture in creative agri-food-businesses and tap in the much-needed assistance from the government.”
FAO representative for Bhutan and Nepal, Ken Shimizu, said that the launch of the youth-led Chapter for Bhutan could leverage the opportunities and external funds to boost the agri-food sector in the country.
The FAO has planned USD 83 million investment in Bhutan’s agrifood sector from 2024 to 2028. Currently, FAO Bhutan has secured approximately USD 16 million, with an additional USD 42 million in the pipeline.
“Furthermore, about USD 25 million is currently under soft commitment,” Ken Shimizu said.
One of the Chapter leaders for Bhutan, Ngawang Gyeltshen, said that WFF Bhutan chapter is a platform that acts as a global think tank that fosters youth-led solutions in innovation, science and technology. “The Chapter is a platform capable of harnessing the potential of youth to drive innovation and sustainable practices in the agrifood sector and chart a pathway for the existing challenges.”
The Department of Agriculture, FAO Bhutan, World Food Programme, Ministry of Education and Skills Development, and the health ministry are key agencies involved in this initiative.