BATIF 2.0 drives major investment into Bhutan's Agrifood Sector
22.05.2026
The two-day Bhutan Agrifood Trade and Investment Forum (BATIF 2.0) concluded in Thimphu on 22 May 2026 with significant investment commitments, marking a decisive step forward in transforming Bhutan's agrifood sector.
Building on the momentum of BATIF 2024, BATIF 2.0 moved beyond showcasing potential toward enabling structured engagement, investment readiness, and practical deal-making. The Forum aimed to mobilise between USD 15 to 20 million in investment commitments for priority agrifood initiatives, formalise strategic partnerships through Letters of Intent and Memoranda of Understanding, and establish clear implementation pathways with defined timelines.
Several landmark partnerships were announced at the Forum. A strategic partnership between DAdvance Agarwood and Dheyma Harvest committed project valuation of BTN 1.4 billion over the next decade to strengthen fruit and vegetable supply chains. The ADB pledged USD 2 million to the Bhutan AgriSustain Fund (BAF), reinforcing international confidence in the Fund as a catalytic financing mechanism for agrifood development.
Further collaborations were formalised with Japanese firm Strout Inc. on trout aquaculture value chain development, the Chaudhary Group on market linkages for herbs, potatoes, and essential oils, and NOB Bhutan Farmers on potato production backed by a BTN 98 million investment.
Eight MoUs were also signed between Bhutanese agriprenuers and investors.
Speaking at the Forum, Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Alue Dohong, reaffirmed FAO's commitment to Bhutan's agrifood transformation. "BATIF 2.0 demonstrates what is possible when governments, development partners, and the private sector align around a shared vision. FAO is proud to stand alongside Bhutan in translating this vision into real and lasting impact for farmers, rural communities, and future generations."
Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay underscored the importance of translating investment commitments into actionable projects that directly benefit farmers. He emphasised that agriculture is not only a means of livelihood but a cultural cornerstone of Bhutan's rural economy, and called on investors to support initiatives engaging youth, women, and highland communities.
The Forum also featured a dedicated focus on women farmers and entrepreneurs, in recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, including a women-led panel session on mobilising domestic financing solutions to advance agribusiness development in Bhutan.
ADB Vice-President for Market Solutions, Bhargav Dasgupta, commended Bhutan's development model, noting that Bhutan's agenda is defined not by economic growth alone but by its emphasis on environmental sustainability and private sector-driven transformation.
BATIF 2.0 reinforces FAO's long-standing commitment to supporting Bhutan's development agenda, in full alignment with the country's 13th Five-Year Plan, the Bhutan AgriSustain Fund, and the Hand-in-Hand Initiative connecting policy priorities, blended and innovative financing pathways, and investment opportunities to unlock sustainable and inclusive growth across Bhutan's agrifood sector.
The Forum was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in partnership with Food and FAO, ADB, and the European Union.
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