This letter has
reference to the 30th Lhengye Zhungtshog (Cabinet Meeting) held on March 25, 2014. The letter from the Cabinet to the Ministry of Agriculture & Forests (MoAF), dated 4th April, 2014 reads as follows:
The Government has directed the MoAF on the following:
1. The MoAF is to study and submit recommendations to the Lhengye Zhungtshog regarding the
necessity of the development of organic agriculture by the government. The
ministry is directed to use the expertise within the ministry and expertise
from other relevant agencies if required to study on the impact of organic
agriculture development. While studying, the MoAF is also directed to take into account the current
status of organic products and alternatives for food security, fertilizers,
input benefits, budget and timeline, etc.
2. To study
whether and how FDl projects negatively
impact organic agriculture development.
3. The Government felt that there is a need to provide
government support to the people especially in terms of marketing of organic
products and also the need to develop proactive measures such as government
buying the organic product and selling it. In this regard, the Government
directed the MoAF to work on providing
premium price for being organic and to work on the method of marketing as well
as to work on how to provide government support on branding/Labeling and transportation
cost for marketing the organic products.
4. The Government felt that if the country is self
sufficient with the organic products and has adequate surplus for sale, the
government can look into selling it to hotels, resorts and then gradually
export to other countries. The government directed the MoAF to look into the
possibility of locating organic market at a separate location, i.e., other side
of Wangchu river, opposite to
the current vegetable market
5. The MoAF to find out approximate budget, duration and benefit of
going organic.
6. To review Samdrup Jongkhar initiative and
submit to the Lhengye Zhungtshog soon.
7. Bhutan Agriculture and food Regulatory Authority
(BAFRA) is directed to work on developing organic products certification system
and be ready to provide certification services, if required.
8. To look into replacing/combining CoRRB with NOP as a
cross-cutting agency.
9. Current human
and other resource shortage to be addressed after the government considers the
organic programme.
10. To look into harmonizing current Pesticide Act with
the organic development policy, if enacted.
11. The
reputation of the country will be uplifted with food security ensured by
increasing domestic food production organically. The Government is of the view
that any economic activity within the country can be undertaken without having
to depend much on other countries. Therefore, if decided to consider the
organic programme, the Government will announce to the public through media.
This is indicative of the strong political will of the government in promoting Organic Agriculture in Bhutan.
