Source: Asia Development Bank
To ensure Bhutan’s food security, it is essential to adopt strategies to increase farm productivity and decrease food loss in the supply chain. The study proposed three pilot solutions: (i) adoption of best practices to improve crop productivity, (ii) creation of modern greenhouse farms, and (iii) improvements in post-harvest management (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Proposed Solutions for Food Security Challenges in Bhutan
Adoption of best practices to improve crop productivity
Improving self-sufficiency through increased productivity of staple crops is a top priority. In particular, increasing the productivity of main crops, such as rice and potatoes, is critical.
Rice is an important cereal in Bhutan and its availability directly impacts national food security and stability. However, rice production is continuously decreasing due to the reduction in cultivated areas, labor shortages, limited irrigation water, and climate change. To address this, an integrated approach is needed, involving the following:
- farmland configuration (farmland consolidation and mechanization)
- research and development on new seed variety and seed system development
- promotion of mechanization and information and communication technology (ICT), such as use of drones for sowing, pesticide spraying, remote diagnosis of diseases
- water-saving irrigation systems to ensure sustainable water management, mitigate drought risks, and improve crops
- harvest and post-harvest management through effective and efficient implementation of harvesting techniques
- establishment of proper storage facilities (e.g., warehouses and silos equipped with climate control systems to maintain grain quality and prevent pest infestations)
It is also important to promote gender and youth capacity development through specialized training programs focused on gender-sensitive and youth-friendly agricultural practices.
Potatoes are one of Bhutan’s cash crops, but production has suffered a significant drop due to the aging and declining quality of potato seeds. Mainstreaming disease-free potato seeds is essential because potato is a highly degenerated crop easily infected with virus. Immediate interventions should focus on the following:
- improve agricultural practices (e.g., adequate irrigation, fertilization, and pest management)
- intensify disease-free potato seed production systems and seed supply
- introduce post-harvest management system
- adoption of new varieties
Creation of modern greenhouse farms
The establishment of modern greenhouse farms are proposed to reduce dependency on imported vegetables. Traditional farming methods limit year-round production and hinder competitiveness, forcing the country to rely on imported vegetables during the winter season.
Modern greenhouse farms—integrated with ICT—can produce and supply vegetables year-round and reduce import dependence. ICT, such as sensor systems, automated control systems, remote monitoring and control, fertilizer application systems, and weather forecasting would help monitor and control temperature, irrigation, and fertilizer application.
Development of farm operational manuals customized to Bhutan’s conditions is also an innovative and systematic approach of knowledge transfer. While greenhouse infrastructures are being built, enhanced capacity development through trainings and workshops, collaboration with industry partners, technology providers, agricultural experts and study tours are crucial technical assistance components.
Improvements in post-harvest management
Effective post-harvest management is crucial to minimizing food loss and ensuring food supply. Food loss occurs due to inadequate management of the value chain, from crop harvesting to storage, processing, and packaging. To tackle these issues, several steps are necessary:
- activation of an agricultural products processing center, which would play a key role in the efficient production and distribution of local crop production areas and post-harvest management. The center can supply foods that meet the needs of consumers, using facilities for pre-cooling, sorting, packaging, processing, storage, and carrying out shipping and distribution.
- development of post-harvest management manuals for each crop to ensure a more aligned and systematic approach
- commercialize customized products by route, grade, specification, and packaging materials to meet the needs of various consumers
Sales and delivery management should also be enhanced through strategic marketing segmentation, expanded market channels (e.g., wholesale markets, large distributors, and exporters), and integrated value chain logistics (e.g., installation of cooling transportation facilities linked to cold storage to maintain marketability, unit load system, and traceability system).