We Have Mountains of Food to Eat

Source: Dani Redd, 2024

Bhutan's journey towards food self-sufficiency started long before the First Five Year Plan in 1961, and since then, it has been a key priority at every level of the country’s policy.

In 1961, a solid foundation was laid after assessing the country’s agricultural needs. However, progress has been slow, and the impact of Dasho Keiji Nishoka, who significantly shaped Bhutan’s agricultural development, seems to have faded over time.

To achieve food self-sufficiency, we need to refocus on agriculture, invest in our people, and encourage a mindset of growth. Bhutan needs a leader like Dasho Keiji—someone who is practical, dedicated, and able to inspire real change in every citizen.

For a small nation like Bhutan, food self-sufficiency is easy. If we unite and work together, we can lay the groundwork for a sustainable and reliable agricultural future for our children.

Ken Haigh pointed out that although 93.8% of Bhutan’s population is involved in agriculture, only 3.4% of the land is arable, and just 6.4% is suitable for grazing. Despite these challenges, with proper planning and care, we could easily increase our self-sufficiency by at least 50%.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed serious weaknesses in our food system. During the lockdown, our limited food supply became a major concern, and our diet—mainly rice and curry—felt monotonous and lacking in variety. 

Ken Haigh’s observation from the 1980s, asking, "Rice for breakfast, rice for lunch, and rice for dinner?" still holds true today. 

Looking for something different to eat, I found that Italian and Japanese dishes could easily be adapted to our local diet. There are many healthy and easy-to-make alternatives that don't rely on rice. We can grow a variety of foods in our gardens—fruits, vegetables, and more—that can add variety to our meals. By expanding our food options, we can lessen our dependency on rice.

The pandemic also showed how much rice we import. What the United States consumes in a year, we consume in a month. Reducing our rice consumption by even one-third could significantly improve our food self-sufficiency.

The government’s efforts to ensure food security during emergencies were admirable, but the overwhelming stock of rice—making up more than three-quarters of the emergency supply—was concerning. Our over-reliance on imported rice weakens our economy and limits our agricultural independence.

To make real progress, we must embrace mechanized farming, support larger agribusinesses, and encourage family farming. Planting more fruit trees and expanding kitchen gardens are crucial steps. Even in remote areas like Lingzhi, we can explore new agricultural methods.

Ultimately, achieving food self-sufficiency isn't just about producing more rice—it's about diversifying our diet, modernizing farming practices, and fostering sustainable agriculture. 

This will help us reduce dependence on imports, strengthen our economy, and ensure food security for the future. The way forward is clear, but it requires collective effort and a change in mindset.