Agriculture minister calls for stronger collaboration to boost food security

2026-03-26 - 10:02

At the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s conference, the agriculture minister called for a shared commitment to enhance food security, promote sustainable rural livelihoods, and build a resilient agri-food system. The minister added that there is need for stronger collaboration and better alignment from policy makers to researchers and local government officials. On the first day of the conference yesterday, participants discussed human resource challenges, and crop and livestock insurance and cost-sharing schemes. Key areas of focus during the conference include tracking and reviewing the progress of the 13th Five-Year Plan and implementation of the National Crop and Livestock Insurance Scheme and the Cost Sharing Mechanism 2025. This is to build a more resilient agrifood sector. There will be discussions on strengthening the linkages from research to policy and action, enhancing agricultural marketing systems to improve market access, and integrating digital systems to support data-driven decision-making. Younten Phuntsho, the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock said, “Midway through the 13th Five-Year Plan, we must reset our priorities—scale what works, fix what doesn’t, and address what is missing. Strong coordination between departments and dzongkhags is key to achieving transformation.” More than 130 participants, including officials from 20 districts, policymakers, and sector experts are attending the conference. The conference is being organised in collaboration with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The three-day conference in Bumthang will conclude tomorrow, with participants expected to finalise recommendations aimed at strengthening Bhutan’s agri-food sector. Thinley Dorji, Bumthang