While presenting the country statement on prioritisation of country and regional needs at the 35th FAO regional conference for Asia-Pacific yesterday (virtual), agriculture secretary, Rinzin Dorji assured Bhutan’s commitment to what is called the seven umbrella programmes proposed by FAO.

The umbrella programme seeks to support responsible investments in agriculture and food systems by involving policy makers, parliamentarians, small-scale producers and the private sector.  It expects to enhance quality and quantity investments in member countries, thereby contributing to food security, nutrition, and sustainable development.

Currently, lack of awareness, governance challenges,  capacity and information gaps were found to impede responsible agricultural investment, the FAO stated. “The agricultural sector suffers from serious underinvestment.”

Rinzin Dorji said that the agriculture development in Bhutan sought to secure a safe and healthy environment, ecologically balanced sustainable development, economic self-reliance, private sector engagement, and adequate livelihood. Bhutan’s efforts have been strongly grounded on the principle of “ensuring sustainable social and economic well-being of the Bhutanese people,” he said.

https://kuenselonline.com/bhutan-commits-to-responsible-investments-in-agriculture-and-food-systems/