How far has Bhutan Traveled in Pursuit of its Organic Mission?

In continuation to my earlier post on Bhutan's organic mission and the journey thus far (http://horticulturetg.blogspot.com/2018/04/bhutans-organic-mission-origin-and.html), I would like to share some insights into where Bhutan stands at the moment.

The Course of Bhutan’s OA Development

•2004- Renewable Natural Resources-Research and Development Center, Yusipang  was declared as organic research centre.

•2005-2007- The National Framework for Organic Farming in Bhutan (NFOFB) developed and launched.

•2006-  National Organic Programme initiated informally.

•10th FYP- Organic formally established as National Programme

•2009- Technical Working Group for Organic Agriculture constituted.

•2010-   ABSD – Initiative- Organic charter –  which promoted organic Asparagus production.

Role of NOP (National Organic Program)

Apart from various programmes initiated and implemented by NOP, most significant achievements have been:

1.Development of supportive framework documents, guidance material, and a comprehensive Masterplan for Organic Agriculture in Bhutan. ( National Framework for Organic Farming in Bhutan)

2. Introduction of a certification scheme in Bhutan as well as developing other standards.

3. Achieving over 55,400 acres under organic management

4. 2014: International Workshop hosted; resulted in the Thimphu Declaration.

5. 2015:  SAARC Regional Expert Consultation Meeting on 'Status & Future prospects of Organic Agriculture for Safe Food security for SAARC countries and resulted in Organic Agriculture-Final Recommendations for SAARC Nations.

6. 2016: An executive order issued to rename the RNR-RDC as Research & Development Centre for organic Agriculture (RDC-OA)

7. 2017: Inception of Model Organic Village at Langpa Nobgang, Haa.

8. May 2017: National Workshop on Roadmap for Organic Agriculture Policy in Bhutan in consultation with ICIMOD. This was viewed as an important step int the organic movement for it resulted in the Proceedings and way forward of the workshop as follows:

      vOrganic Agriculture to be promoted as a flagship programme under the 12th five-year plan.

  vNeed for an apex body/mechanism

  vBuild on existing frameworks: Selected products and regions

  vIncentivizing the private sector

  vIncentivize organic growers through:

•MSP to bridge the requirements of premiums, especially for organic small holders in the country.

•Creation and search for organic premium

•Market mechanism for organic produce: exploring & creating both domestic as well as international market.

•Assess to finance for organic groups.

•Cold storage chains for organic produce.

•Input support

•Technical support

•Promote value chain sector.

•Incentivizing the local production of organic inputs for local producers(reduced transport cost)

•Set up of Labs for required testing; research & development on biological pest and disease control mechanism.

•Ecosystem service payments to organic farmers.

Integration of eco-equitable tourism including a focus on rural farm-stays, revival of local and traditional crops as well as traditional farming systems and experience.

So you think Bhutan is Going Fully organic by 2020?

Well, the answer would obviously be 'Not Sooner' in this short span of time. Bhutan has started the movement some years ago and it will take time. It may become fully organic some years in the future but not in 2020. At the moment, there are lots of works that needs to be done to materialize the idea of going fully organic. However, there are numerous glitters of hope and positive aspects of the move and hopefully in the near future, may Bhutan cut through some of the barriers and achieve its mission of Going Fully Organic.