Bhutan’s pursuit of happiness takes root on its farms

The Himalayan nation of Bhutan, guided by its philosophy of Gross National Happiness, aims to achieve food self-sufficiency by 2029 through its 13th five-year plan. However, remoteness and geographical constraints pose significant challenges to realizing this goal, according to Bleu Tshering Dorji, a chef and restaurateur. Bhutan, a landlocked country with a mountainous terrain, has only a small percentage of land suitable for agriculture.

The 5-year plan seeks to increase domestic production of essential commodities and support smallholder farmers, who make up over 40% of Bhutan's workforce. However, these farmers face difficulty transporting their goods due to unpaved roads and limited cold storage facilities. Dorji emphasized that the primary obstacle is moving produce from the farm to the market, as every additional hour reduces freshness and quality.

Furthermore, labor shortages are exacerbating the problem as younger generations leave agriculture. The government is allocating approximately $180 million to the plan, with $139 million specifically earmarked for smallholder farmers, the majority of whom are women. Sonam Wangchuk, an executive specialist at Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, highlighted the importance of changing perceptions about farming as a profession, stating that Bhutanese youth must view it as a respectable career path.